What Happened to Kevin Costner?
Kevin Costner, a celebrated actor, director, and producer, has recently navigated significant professional and personal changes. He officially exited the hit series 'Yellowstone' to focus on his ambitious multi-part Western epic, 'Horizon: An American Saga,' which he personally financed. Concurrently, Costner finalized a high-profile divorce from Christine Baumgartner, and as of early 2026, he is embarking on new acting projects while awaiting the wider release of his 'Horizon' sequels.
Quick Answer
Kevin Costner has recently concluded his role as John Dutton in 'Yellowstone' to dedicate himself to his passion project, 'Horizon: An American Saga,' a four-part Western film series he is directing, co-writing, producing, and starring in. The first chapter of 'Horizon' was released in June 2024, with Chapter 2 premiering at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024, though its wide release is delayed. He also finalized his divorce from Christine Baumgartner in early 2024 and is set to begin filming a new dramedy, 'Honeymoon with Harry,' in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Christine Baumgartner Files for Divorce
Kevin Costner's second wife, Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Divorce Settlement Reached
Costner and Baumgartner reached an amicable and mutually agreed-upon resolution to their divorce proceedings, following months of public legal battles.
Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 & 2 Release Dates Announced
New Line Cinema and Kevin Costner announced that 'Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1' would be released on June 28, 2024, followed by Chapter 2 on August 16, 2024.
Divorce Officially Finalized
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's divorce was officially terminated, with both parties agreeing to joint custody of their three children.
Announces Exit from Yellowstone
Kevin Costner officially confirmed via an Instagram video that he would not be returning to 'Yellowstone' for the latter half of Season 5 or any future seasons, citing his commitment to 'Horizon.'
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 Theatrical Release
The first installment of Costner's self-funded Western epic, 'Horizon: An American Saga,' premiered in theaters but significantly underperformed at the box office.
Horizon: Chapter 2 Theatrical Release Delayed
Due to the disappointing box office performance of Chapter 1, the wide theatrical release of 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2' was indefinitely delayed from its original August 16, 2024, date.
Horizon: Chapter 1 Streams on Max
Following its theatrical run, 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1' became available for streaming on Max.
Horizon: Chapter 2 Premieres at Venice Film Festival
Despite its delayed wide release, 'Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2' had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.
'The Gray House' (Produced) Announced for 2026 Release
It was announced that Kevin Costner produced 'The Gray House,' a Civil War spy ring series starring Mary-Louise Parker and Morgan Freeman, set to debut on Amazon Prime Video in early 2026.
Yellowstone Replaces John Dutton in Spinoff
The 'Yellowstone' franchise officially replaced Kevin Costner's John Dutton with Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham) in the 'Marshals' spinoff, signifying the character's definitive exit from the universe.
Set to Film 'Honeymoon with Harry'
Kevin Costner is slated to begin filming the dramedy 'Honeymoon with Harry' alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in Queensland, Australia, starting in April 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kevin Costner's career has seen a dynamic shift in recent years, marked by a high-profile departure from a hugely successful television series and a deep personal investment in a long-gestating film project. Costner, known for his iconic roles in Westerns and dramas, officially announced his exit from Paramount Network's 'Yellowstone' in June 2024, where he starred as patriarch John Dutton. The departure followed reported conflicts over filming schedules, as Costner prioritized his ambitious Western epic, 'Horizon: An American Saga.'
'Horizon: An American Saga' is a four-part film series that Costner has championed for decades, serving as its director, co-writer, producer, and star. He famously invested $38 million of his own money into the project, mortgaging a beachfront property to help fund the estimated $100 million budget for the first two films. Chapter 1 of 'Horizon' was released in theaters on June 28, 2024, but it significantly underperformed at the box office, grossing only $11 million in its opening weekend. This led to the indefinite delay of Chapter 2's wide theatrical release, which was originally slated for August 16, 2024, although it did premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2024.
In his personal life, Costner also navigated a contentious divorce from his second wife, Christine Baumgartner. Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023 after 18 years of marriage. The proceedings involved public disputes over child support and the terms of their prenuptial agreement. While Baumgartner initially requested $248,000 per month in child support, a judge ultimately ordered Costner to pay approximately $63,000 per month. The divorce settlement was reached in September 2023 and officially finalized in February 2024.
As of March 2026, Costner's professional focus is diversifying. While the future of the remaining 'Horizon' chapters remains uncertain due to the first film's box office performance and funding challenges, he is moving forward with new acting roles. He is set to begin filming a dramedy titled 'Honeymoon with Harry' alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in Queensland, Australia, starting in April 2026. Additionally, Costner has produced 'The Gray House,' a historical drama series for Prime Video about a Civil War spy ring, which is slated to debut in early 2026. His net worth is estimated to be around $200 million to $270 million, reflecting his long and varied career in Hollywood.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kevin Costner made different choices?