The highly anticipated release of Kevin Costner's 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2' has been postponed from its original August 16 date. The decision was made by Costner's production company, Territory Pictures, and the film's distribution partner, New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Pictures.
The move to delay the release of 'Horizon 2' comes in the aftermath of the underwhelming performance of its predecessor, 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1,' which opened to lackluster box office numbers. Despite opening in 3,334 theaters in the U.S. on June 28, the film only managed to gross $11 million in its first weekend.
With a production budget estimated to be around $100 million, 'Horizon 1' has so far earned $23.48 million domestically and $1.27 million internationally, totaling $24.72 million worldwide. Costner, along with two undisclosed investors, financed the film, with Costner reportedly contributing $38 million of his own money.
The decision to postpone the release of 'Horizon 2' was partly influenced by the upcoming competition it would face from 'Alien: Romulus,' the latest installment in the long-running Alien movie franchise. Produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Fede Álvarez, 'Alien: Romulus' is expected to be a strong contender at the box office.
New Line Cinema cited the need to give audiences more time to discover 'Horizon: Chapter 1' before releasing the sequel as one of the reasons for the delay. 'Horizon 1' is set to debut on digital streaming platforms on July 16, providing viewers with an opportunity to catch up on the story before 'Horizon 2' hits theaters.
Despite the setback, Territory Pictures expressed gratitude for the positive reception of 'Horizon' and the excitement surrounding the continuation of the saga in 'Horizon 2.' The production company emphasized its commitment to delivering a compelling cinematic experience for movie enthusiasts.
As fans eagerly await the release of 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2,' the decision to postpone the film's premiere reflects a strategic move to maximize audience engagement and ensure a successful theatrical run.
