Warning: This article contains spoilers for Yellowstone season 5, episode 9.
This article mentions suicide.
Following the most recent revelation inYellowstoneseason 5, it is now confirmed that Kevin Costner’s number one priority going forward will be hisHorizonmovies.Yellowstone season 5, episode 9, titled “Desire Is All You Need,” marked the beginning of part two of the hit show’s fifth season, and finally confirmed thatJohn Dutton is dead. Costner has played John Dutton sinceYellowstonefirst premiered in 2018. However, he decided to exit the show due to pay disputes, a rumored feud withYellowstonecreator Taylor Sheridan, and his desire to work on hisHorizonfilms.
Therefore,Costner can now spend as much time as he wants working on hisHorizonmovies.Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1was released in theaters on August 06, 2025, and followed several characters as they traveled to and settled in the American West during the Civil War. AlthoughChapter 2has already been filmed and Costner has a desire to make a total of fourHorizonfilms,Horizon Chapter 1’smixed reviewsand poor box office performance have left the future of the series unknown.
Kevin Costner Has No Way Back In Yellowstone, Making His Horizon Movies Even More Vital
Costner’s Yellowstone Character John Dutton Is Dead
Even though the firstHorizonfilm was not the most successful endeavor ofCostner’s career, the future of the series is now more important than ever after hisYellowstonecharacter’s fate. InYellowstoneseason 5, episode 9, John is found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. While there may be more to the story, the police declared John’s death a suicide and closed the case. While shots of John’s body are shown in the scene, his face is never shown, since it wasn’t actually Costner. Therefore,John’s fate and its presentation seem to confirm that Costner is never returning toYellowstone.
Costner left the critically acclaimed series so that he would have time to makeHorizon, a story he has been trying to bring to life for decades.
Since the door to Costner’sYellowstonefuture now seems to be shut forever, hisHorizonmovies have become much more important. Costner left the critically acclaimed series so that he would have time to makeHorizon, a story he has been trying to bring to life for decades. Since it is a passion project of his,Costner has also spent $38 million of his own money to fund theHorizonfilms. If the series continues, Costner will likely put more money towardsHorizon, so the films must succeed.
Can Horizon Bounce Back After The First Movie’s Disappointing Reception?
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 Does Not Have A Release Date
While Costner has been developing the story of theHorizonmovies for decades, the first film in the series did not perform well with critics or audiences.Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1has an underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes score of 51% and only grossed $38 million at the worldwide box office. Considering it had a budget of $100 million, this was a massive setback for the series. After the disappointing release of the firstHorizonmovie,New Line Cinema decided to removeChapter 2from its release schedule ahead of its originally announced premiere date of June 10, 2025.
At the time, New Line Cinema revealed that it wanted to give audiences more time to discoverHorizon - Chapter 1on streaming services before releasing a sequel. However,a new release date forChapter 2has not yet been announced, leaving many unsure about the future of the series. Therefore, while it’s possible that the secondHorizonfilm could receive far better reviews and have a stronger box office performance upon its eventual release, it is currently doubtful that Costner will find much success with hisHorizonseries.
Horizon: An American Saga
“Horizon: An American Saga” is a series of epic Western films directed, produced, and co-written by Kevin Costner. The saga spans pre- and post-Civil War America, detailing the exploration and settlement of the American West over 15 years, and follows multiple storylines of fictional characters as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of this tumultuous period.
Yellowstone
Cast
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on July 15, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
