Kevin Costner Defends Casting Two Sons In ‘Horizon’ Films

Kevin Costner has announced that another one of his children will be joining his movie franchise after facing backlash for casting his son, Hayes, in Horizon: An American Saga.

Costner did not detail the role his oldest son, Joe, will be given in the second Horizon movie. Hayes, 15, played Nathaniel Kittredge in the first installment.

The Oscar winner joked that he was trying to “find ways to trap” his kids into acting, immediately clarifying that he has not forced them into Hollywood.

“That he did it, that he was good in it, that he listened, that he was worried, that he cared. I’m just so happy that he has that now the first of his life,” Costner told Fox News about Hayes. “I haven’t pushed my children into this, and this might be his only dabble in it, but he’s memorable. And for me to have him, I’ll never forget it.”

Fans previously called Costner out for casting Hayes, who has no acting experience. Costner defended his decision on the Today show last week.

“I selfishly wanted him with me for the week, to weeks, he was with me. And we would drive to the set every day, and he would whisper,” Costner said. “He didn’t have a lot of experience, but he’s really beautiful in the movie.”

Horizon: An American Saga was directed by Costner and released in theaters on Friday. The second part of the movie is set to hit theaters on Aug. 16.

Costner recently spoke about the Western film saga, which aims to challenge traditional Western narratives that cast Indigenous people as antagonists.