Michael Rooker joins Kevin Costner’s new western Horizon

Deadline reports that Walking Dead alum, Michael Rooker will join the cast of Kevin Costner’s new epic western, Horizon. Rooker is well known in The Walking Dead universe for his portrayal of Merle Dixon, brother to Norman Reedus’ Daryl. Merle was a stereotypical southern redneck who was abusive and ill-tempered. In the end, he did try to redeem himself for the wrongs toward Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group of survivors.

Horizon is the latest western production that sees Costner involved. He is still starring in the wildly popular Yellowstone series that will premiere its fifth season on Paramount on November 13. Costner will direct, star, and produce through his Territory Pictures this film that he co-wrote with Jon Baird.

The film chronicles 15 years spanning pre and post-Civil War expansion of American West settlements. The story will be told through many eyes as settlers battle natural elements and interact with the indigenous people who live on the lands. Horizon will show the determination and, oftentimes, ruthlessness of the settlers wanting to tame the west.

Horizon cast

The ensemble cast includes:
Kevin Costner , Sienna Miller , Sam Worthington , Jena Malone , Abbey Lee , Michael Rooker , Danny Huston , Luke Wilson , Isabelle Fuhrman , Jeff Fahey , Will Patton , Tatanka Means , Owen Crow Shoe ,Ella Hunt , Jamie Campbell Bower , Giovanni Ribisi , Thomas Haden Church , Alejandro Edda , Tom Payne , Wasé Chief , Tim Guinee , Michael Angarano , Colin Cunningham , Scott Haze , Angus Macfadyen , Douglas Smith , Jon Beavers , Michael Provost , Kathleen Quinlan , Larry Bagby , James Russo , Dale Dickey , Hayes Costner , James Landry Hébert , Dalton Baker , Georgia MacPhail , Naomi Winders, and Austin Archer.

Michael Rooker – other projects

Rooker has wrapped filming for the Netflix film The Out-Laws starring Adam Devine and Pierce Brosnan, which should be released sometime in 2023.

He recently starred in the movie White Elephant with Bruce Willis and is well known for his role as Yondu in the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. He reprised this role in an episode of the Marvel/Disney+ series What If…?

His IMDB listing has several upcoming movies, including Fast X, Yolo County OG, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Road Rage. 

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