Kevin Costner has slowly but surely perched himself atop the throne as the king of the Western genre of movies. Since 2018, his role in the Western drama series Yellowstone has made him a household name. In the popular Paramount Network show, Costner’s performance not only brought him fame but also made him one of the highest-paid actors on television, thanks to his substantial salary. However, his contributions to the Western genre and Hollywood overall extend far beyond this single role. He has portrayed several iconic characters in Western as well as other films.
Costner did experience moments of frustration with the creative process behind Yellowstone in the earlier years, although these challenges did not persist for long. Eventually, however, he made the decision to leave the series at the end of Season 5, citing the desire to concentrate on a passion project as the simple reason for his departure.
While Costner never publicly confirmed the identity of this project, his next move was to embark on a two-part American epic Western film, further solidifying his status as the “King of Western movies.” So how did he get here?
Kevin Costner Is One Of The Highest Grossing Western Movie Stars Of All Time
As of February 2024, Kevin Costner’s name had been attached to only four Western films. Despite this seemingly modest number, he emerged as the second-highest grossing Western movie star of all time, trailing only behind Leonardo DiCaprio. The Titanic star has set a high benchmark in the genre, with standout performances in The Revenant ($533 million), Django Unchained ($450 million), and Killers of the Flower Moon ($156 million), amassing a staggering total of $1.1 billion at the box office.
Costner, though, is part of a larger elite group of actors who have grossed the highest amount within the Western genre, per Collider. Johnny Depp finds a spot in this unique club with his roles in The Lone Ranger, Rango, and Dead Man, collectively bringing in $509 million. Clint Eastwood, a legend in his own right, has added $275 million to the genre’s box office receipts, through classics like Unforgiven, Pale Rider, and Paint Your Wagon.
Another storied name in the Western genre is Robert Redford, who contributed $189.4 million with memorable performances in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Electric Horseman. The iconic John Wayne also contributed, with a $169.4 million haul from his roles in How the West Was Won and True Grit, among others.
Dances With The Wolves Is Kevin Costner’s Highest Grossing Western Film
Dances with Wolves stands as Kevin Costner’s most financially successful Western film. In this 1990 epic, he made his directorial debut and also took on the roles of producer and lead actor. The film narrates the journey of Costner as Lt. John J. Dunbar, also known as Dances with Wolves, a Civil War soldier who forges a deep connection with a group of Lakota Indians. Captivated by their way of life, Dunbar decides to abandon his previous life and join them.
The film’s compelling storytelling and captivating visuals led to a staggering $424 million in worldwide box office revenue. Before Dances with Wolves, Costner’s first foray into the Western genre was in Silverado (1985), directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Though his role was not as prominent, the film still managed to earn $32 million at the box office. Costner’s other Western projects include Wyatt Earp (1994), which brought in $55.9 million against a production budget of over $60 million, and Open Range (2003), which garnered $68.3 million.
Kevin Costner Followed His Role In Yellowstone By Writing, Directing And Producing The Western Film, Horizon: An American Saga
Following his departure from Yellowstone, and his divorce from Christine Baumgartner in September 2023, Kevin Costner immediately embarked on a new venture, the two-part epic Western film titled Horizon: An American Saga. This ambitious project spans a 15-year period, capturing the complexities of the pre- and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American West.
The genesis of Horizon dates back to 1988, when Costner first envisioned the film as a singular narrative. By January 2022, it was publicly announced that he would not only direct and produce An American Saga, but also star in it. He would later reveal in an interview of his plans to expand the premise into four films. As of early 2024, Horizon: An American Saga was due to be released in two installments. Chapter 1 was penciled in for release on June 28, with Chapter 2 due to follow on August 16.