Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” opens Thursday night in previews. According to Fandango seat maps, not a lot of people have purchased advanced tickets.
In fact, most theaters in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles show just a few seats sold — like four or five at most.
The Thursday previews are wide open. So are Friday shows. I checked the 7pm show in all cities, and right now you can buy 20 at a time if so desired.
Costner is no stranger to huge flops. Two of the biggest in movie history are on his resume: “Waterworld” and “The Postman.” With “Horizon,” another vanity project, Costner may get to put his stamp on this category: The Postman always rings twice.
“Horizon” is a three hour part 1 of two films coming this summer, like it or not. In part 1, Costner himself evidently doesn’t show up in the first hour. Costner is relying heavily on Sam Worthington — whose screen profile is mostly as a blue Avatar — and the always welcome Sienna Miller to carry the show.
Audiences don’t seem excited. The really big hit of the weekend is set to be “A Quiet Place: Day One,” from Paramount, which already has sold out shows. This is the third chapter in a very successful series, which spells stiff competition for an unknown quantity. Original three hour film about the Civil War vs. scary, slimy aliens?
Costner also goes into “Horizon” with a lot of bad will from his “Yellowstone” fans. He’s finally conceded that he’s not going back to the hit show, although everyone knew that. Costner had been insisting up until last Friday that he could return. But the final episodes were mapped out long ago, and that ship has sailed.
“Horizon” Part 2 comes in August, although if Part 1 is ignored, Warners/New Line will really have a problem. Might they move it to Max? The film has a “rotten” 47% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
