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Kevin Costner‘s highly anticipated Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 is more than just a Western epic — it’s a full-blown family affair! The veteran actor employed his 15-year-old son, Hayes, to star in the upcoming flick. But did Costner give his mini-me the role on a platter of gold?
Kevin Costner Went Full Nepo Baby Mode For His Son’s Acting Debut
Kevin Costner introduced Horizon: An American Saga to the world at CinemaCon 2024 and couldn’t help but rave about his son’s sentimental involvement in the project. According to the 69-year-old the Western movie had been in the works as far back as 1988, but Hayes’ birth largely inspired it.
“So I was watching him grow up and I was thinking, ‘Man, I better get with it and make this movie. I captured him and I brought him on, and he’s very good in this small part that he’s done.”
Costner shares Hayes with his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner alongside two other children — Cayden Wyatt and Grace Avery. He also has four older kids from his previous relationships.
Did Kevin Costner’s Son Audition For His Role?
For someone like the Yellowstone actor who takes his craft seriously, it came as a surprise when he admitted Hayes didn’t have to audition for the role. Costner, who described his son’s performance as impactful explained to OK Magazine!:
“I understand that there’s young actors out [there] that would kill for these parts. And so mine have to respect the profession. But in certain instances, this was something I thought he could handle.”
Costner explained he wanted his son close to him during the project’s filming. Unfortunately, he confirmed that fans won’t see the father-son duo in any scenes together. However, although Hayes got the role without having to jump through hoops, his famous father cautioned that wouldn’t always be the case.
“I don’t give great parts away,” the Emmy winner told the publication before expressing pride in directing his son when he was much younger.
Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 will premiere on June 28, and the second installment will be released on August 16. The film explores the stories of settlers and Indigenous people over the course of 15 years. Costner’s co-stars include Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson, Owen Crow Shoe, Giovanni Ribisi and many more.
