Kevin Costner's Son's Role in Horizon: Chapter 1 Explained

Kevin Costner's passion project Horizon: The American Saga it hits home for him in a number of ways, not the least of which is that his son Hayes Costner has a small role in it. Horizon: The American Saga – Chapter 1. The Academy Award winner has invested millions of dollars to make the epic Western film series a reality. The horizon's carefully selected cast of characters boasts dozens of recognizable faces. Kostner's youngest son, Hayes, acted on the set for the first time The horizon.

Horizon: The American Saga – Chapter 1 is now airing and is the first of what is planned to be four films depicting the lives and times of settlers and indigenous people in the American West before, during and after the Civil War. The struggle for wealth, health and well-being created decades of conflict between all involved, inevitably resulting in death and suffering. A brief look at Hayes Costner Horizon: Chapter 1 was at the center of the most explosive and violent scene in the entire film.

Hayes Costner plays Nathaniel Kittredge in Horizon

Nathaniel is the son of Sienna Miller's character

Hayes Costner makes his acting debut as Nathaniel Kittredge, son of hosts and Horizon residents Frances (Sienna Miller) and James Kittredge. Nathaniel, or “Nat” as he's referred to, is about 15 years oldand although her screen time is limited, she is shown to be brave enough to stand up to an older boy who bullies her and her friends. He still has the tendencies of an average 15-year-old boy, as he refuses to dance with his mother and fights with his sister.

Hayes Costner's Character Dies Off-Screen on Horizon

He is killed defending his home and family

Nathaniel's bravery is shown once again when his family's home, like the rest of the Horizon, is attacked by Apache warriors. Nathaniel jumps into action to help his father raise the house and responds in a dignified manner despite being shot through the walls and doors. Even if his father seems to have lost hope and hope, Nathaniel keeps his cool and continues to defend his home and family.

Hayes Costner is the second youngest of Kevin Costner's seven children, aged between 14 and 40.

Unfortunately, his bravery resulted in Nathaniel Kittredge's downfall. He was sent by his father to lead his mother and sister to the escape tunnels beneath their house, but when it came time to enter himself, instead he chose to secure them inside and continue fighting alongside his father. In a meta moment that's pretty fitting for the character played by Kevin Costner's son, Nathaniel's last words to his mother are, “It's okay…I'm going to be with my dad.” Nathaniel and James are killed off-screen by either an Apache or a fire that burns down their home.

What Kevin Costner Says About Supporting His Son on the Horizon

Costner never pushed any of his children into acting

in an interview with TodayCostner detailed the experience of working with his son on a movie set. While he clearly enjoyed the experience, Costner noted that he never pushed his son to act. The veteran director said that it is no coincidence that Nathaniel's character is brave and loyal; “…whatever you want from a son,” he said, talking cheekily about the character.

He also briefly touched on potential nepotism in the castingthis has certainly been the hottest issue in American cinema lately. Costner admitted that he knew other young actors wanted the role, but he cast his son knowing how small the role would be.

I understand that there are so many young actors who would kill to be in this movie. I don't want to take those parts from them just so I can accommodate my own children… But since it's a smaller part, I selfishly wanted it with me. For the two weeks he was with me, we drove to the set every day and he whispered. She didn't have much experience, but she is really beautiful in the film.

Costner didn't shy away from the selfish reasons behind it either, which is only fair considering how much effort and resources he put into it.

Kevin Costner's Horizon character is named after his son

In addition to writing and directing, Costner also stars as Hayes Ellison

Costner's own character Horizon: The American Saga – Chapter 1 in fact, he is named after the same son he starred in the film with. Costner plays a horse trader named Hayes Ellisonwho stepped into the role of a classic Western gunslinger Chapter 1 despite not actually being any law enforcement agents or criminals. One of the biggest complaints Horizon: Chapter 1 in fact, Costner's Hayes Ellison was not enough in the film.

Kevin Costner may struggle to finance the final chapters Horizon: The American Saga after Chapter 1 failed at the box office, but he didn't miss the opportunity to bring his son into the franchise. By not only casting him in a minor role, but naming one of the main characters after him, Costner ensured that his son Hayes signed on to the storied actor/director's masterpiece.

Source: Today