Kevin Costner recently defended his decision to cast his 15-year-old son Hayes in the film “Horizon: An American Saga” without any prior acting experience. Costner, an Oscar winner, cast his son in the Civil War-era Western without an audition, admitting that the move was selfish but that he wanted to have his son with him during filming. Despite acknowledging that there are many young actors who would want to be in the movie, Costner felt it was important for his son to be a part of it.
The role that Hayes played only required two weeks of filming, and while he had limited experience, Costner praised his son for delivering a beautiful performance. Costner admitted that he wanted his son to be with him on set and was proud of how Hayes portrayed the character in a complicated scene with nobility and fatalness. He expressed that the final film showcased what he would want in a son, even though he didn’t want a son to make that particular choice.
In April, Costner revealed that his character in the film served as inspiration for Hayes’ name, sharing that he named his son after the character he plays in the movie, Hayes Ellison. Costner has three other children – Cayden, Grace, Joe, and Liam – from previous relationships. He brought five of his seven children to the Cannes Film Festival last month and joked about needing a “tour director” to handle them.
Costner has been open about his decision to cast his son in the film, emphasizing that while there are many talented young actors, he wanted to give his son the opportunity to be a part of the project. Despite not having prior acting experience, Hayes was able to deliver a strong and emotional performance in the film, which Costner found commendable. The actor shared that he enjoyed having his son on set with him during filming.
The experience of working on the film together allowed Costner to witness the talent and dedication his son brought to the role. Hayes’ portrayal of the character showed depth and complexity, making Costner proud of his son’s performance. Costner acknowledged that casting a family member in a film can be seen as controversial but felt that his decision was driven by a desire to share a special moment with his son.
Overall, Costner’s decision to cast his son in the film was a personal one, based on a desire to spend time with Hayes and share a unique experience together. While acknowledging that there are many talented actors who would have wanted the role, Costner felt that having his son on set enhanced the filming experience for him. The actor praised Hayes for his performance and expressed pride in seeing his son tackle a complex character with maturity and skill.
