In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated theatrical release of Kevin Costner's Horizon 2: An American Saga - Chapter 2 has been canceled after the underwhelming performance of the first movie in the saga.

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1, Kevin Costner's ambitious Western passion project, hit theaters at the end of June to mixed reviews and disappointing box office numbers. The film, in which Costner serves as writer, director, producer, and star, chronicles an epic journey West in the years surrounding the Civil War and carried a substantial reported budget of $100 million, with $38 million personally contributed by Costner himself.

With the first chapter struggling to find its audience, concerns were raised about the planned release of Chapter 2 just weeks later in August. To address these concerns, New Line Cinema and Costner's own Territory Pictures have made the decision to cancel the theatrical release of Horizon 2's sequel. The move was made to allow more time for audiences to discover and engage with the first installment, both in theaters and on home viewing platforms.

No new release date for Horizon 2: An American Saga - Chapter 2 has been announced as yet, leaving fans eagerly anticipating any updates on the fate of the highly anticipated sequel.

Critics have expressed mixed opinions about Horizon: An American Saga. Some critics have criticized the film's over-long runtime, unfocused narrative, and the miniseries-like nature of the project. Despite these concerns, there was still hope that the movie would resonate with audiences. However, it opened to underwhelming numbers, raking in just $11 million during its initial release.

While the movie saw a relatively strong hold with audiences heading into its second weekend, it was not enough to change the overall narrative surrounding its performance. The lukewarm response from viewers further added to the uncertainties surrounding the release of the sequel.

Given the risk involved in Costner's Western passion project, the cancellation of Horizon 2's theatrical release showcases the industry's desire to give the first movie more time to find its audience and generate more buzz. It remains to be seen whether this delay will help improve the sequel's prospects.

As fans await further updates on Horizon 2: An American Saga - Chapter 2, the focus now shifts to the fate of the first installment and its potential to gain traction among viewers in the coming weeks.

Overall, the cancellation of the sequel's theatrical release reflects the challenges faced by Costner's Western saga, leaving fans and industry insiders curious about the future of the Horizon franchise.