Kevin Costner defends casting his son Hayes in 'Horizon: An American Saga'

Kevin Costner’s upcoming western drama, "Horizon: An American Saga," will feature his 15-year-old son, Hayes Costner, in a minor role. In an interview with "Today," Costner emphasized that the decision to cast his son was not aimed at launching his acting career but rather to spend quality time together.

“I realized there’s so many young actors out there that would kill to be in this movie,” Costner told "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie. “I don’t want to take those parts away just ‘cause I can place my own children in [them].” He added that Hayes plays a “smaller part” in the film and highlighted the importance of their time together during the shoot. “I selfishly wanted him with me for the week, two weeks he was with me,” Costner said. “We would drive to the set every day... he didn’t have a lot of experience, but he’s really beautiful in the movie.”

Costner, who shares Hayes with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, kept details about his son’s role under wraps but hinted that the scene is “complicated” and has a “nobility” and “an absolute fatalness” about it. Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023 after 18 years of marriage, and the couple also share two other children, Cayden, 17, and Grace, 14.

"Horizon: An American Saga" premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, receiving an 11-minute standing ovation. The film, the first of a planned four-part series, is set for theatrical release on June 28. Costner’s departure from the TV series "Yellowstone" was reportedly due to his commitment to the "Horizon" project, which has been in development for 35 years.

"His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus,” "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan told the Hollywood Reporter last June. “I sure hope [the movie is] worth it — and that it’s a good one.”

As "Yellowstone" prepares for its final episodes in November, Costner has not ruled out a return to the series. “I would love to go back under the right circumstances,” he mentioned to Guthrie.

At the Cannes premiere, Costner expressed hopes that "Horizon" would be appreciated beyond its opening weekend. “Movies are about their life. About how many times you’re willing to share it. And I hope that you do share this movie with your sweethearts, with your children,” he said. “I feel so lucky. I feel so blessed. And there’s three more.”