Kevin Costner faces lawsuits over Horizon movie production as Horizon: An American Saga is embroiled in mounting legal challenges, putting the Western franchise’s continuation in jeopardy. The filmmaker, who serves as the director, lead actor, co-writer, and producer, is now confronted with fresh allegations regarding unpaid costume invoices in the midst of worsening financial and production woes.
Escalating Legal Disputes Complicate Horizon’s Future
Horizon: An American Saga spans a four-part vision from Costner that began development in 1988, but the series now grapples with an onslaught of legal claims and a shaky future. The initial installment, Chapter 1, met poor critical response upon its 2024 summer release and failed to recover its $50 million budget, grossing only $38.7 million. As audiences and critics remained unimpressed, doubts grew about the franchise’s viability.
The most recent lawsuit was filed by the United Costume Corporation, targeting Costner’s company, Horizon Series, for breach of contract. The corporation contends that it rented $58,000 in costumes for Chapter 1 and an additional $285,000 for the upcoming Chapter 2, but says they were never compensated. The suit seeks nearly $350,000 for unpaid invoices. Horizon Series has not issued a public response regarding the accusations.
Persistent Financial Struggles and Additional Lawsuits
These contract disputes join a growing list of controversies haunting the Horizon project. The disappointing box office results of Chapter 1 already forced delays for Chapter 2, which currently lacks a set release date but is projected for 2025. Meanwhile, Costner continues his search for funds to complete Chapters 3 and 4, but ongoing lawsuits threaten to deter potential investors. Legal troubles such as this are not isolated, as several lawsuits surfaced in just the past month alone.
Further complicating matters, New Line Cinema has entered into arbitration against Horizon Series shortly after City National Bank began its own proceedings against both New Line and Horizon Series over disagreements concerning their co-financing arrangement. New Line aims to secure financial resources for its defense against City National Bank’s claims.
Another legal issue emerged when stunt performer Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit, alleging she was required to participate in an unscripted rape scene without proper oversight from an intimacy coordinator. LaBella further claims she faced retaliation for voicing her distress about the incident, bringing heightened scrutiny to the production’s working conditions.
Worsening Outlook for Costner’s Film Ambition
The new lawsuit from United Costume Corporation is one of multiple setbacks that Horizon: An American Saga has faced since Chapter 1’s troubled debut. Kevin Costner, who has invested significant personal funds into this passion project, now contends with negative critical reception, unresolved financial obligations, and a litany of legal accusations. The most recent $350,000 lawsuit, while modest compared to the production’s multi-million-dollar scale, represents yet another hurdle as Costner tries to bring his sweeping Western saga to completion.
The cumulative effect of ongoing lawsuits, unsatisfactory box office numbers, and uncertain funding threatens the entire project, casting doubt on whether subsequent sequels will be able to proceed, heedless of the actor’s dedication or the magnitude of his investment. Key players such as United Costume Corporation, Devyn LaBella, City National Bank, and New Line Cinema now play increasingly central roles in the fate of the ambitious Horizon series, intensifying Kevin Costner’s dilemma as he faces mounting obstacles in his efforts to keep the project alive.
