Kevin Costner was joined by his son Hayes in his new film, Horizon (Picture: Getty)
Kevin Costner has admitted that he was ‘hard’ on his son, Hayes, while working on Horizon: An American Saga together.
The Yellowstone actor has spent years bringing his star-studded new Western film to the big screen, and the first part is finally set to be released on June 28, with Chapter Two coming out on August 16.
In the flick, the 69-year-old was joined by some famous face, including Sienna Miller, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sam Worthington and Luke Wilson.
But it was his casting of his 15-year-old son, Hayes – who he shares with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner – that raised eyebrows from fans.
Unpacking the decision in a new interview, the dad-of-seven revealed that Sienna actually told him that he was being too tough on the teenager at one point.
‘She’s our leading lady. She’s incredible in the movie,’ he told People Magazine of the Frances Kittredge actress. ‘And she came to me one time, she says, “You’re kind of hard on Hayes”.
The pair shared the screen in the upcoming Western film (Picture: Getty)
‘And I said, “I know. I need him to be really good, and he’s inexperienced and I’m going to help him all the way through.”
‘And in the end, Hayes started doing some things on his own that were just magical, and I’m really proud of his performance.’
It may have been a confusing time on set as Kevin appears in the role of Hayes Ellison in the saga, while the youngster – who shares his name with the main character – stars as Frances’ protective son, who defends his mother and sister from a brutal attack.
The movie premiered at Cannes Film Festival last month, with some of Kevin’s brood appearing on the red carpet.
Horizon: An American Saga is set to be released this month (Picture: Warner Bros)
Kevin also shares son Cayden and daughter Grace with former partner Christine, and fathered Annie, Lily and Joe with his first wife, Cindy Silva.
He introduced son Liam with philanthropist Bridget Rooney.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the release, he unpacked his decision to offer his son a role without even auditioning.
‘He had never acted before and I don’t automatically give parts to my children because I know how coveted this is,’ he told Metro.co.uk and other press. ‘There’s young people that would do anything to have a part in a movie, and I want those kids to emerge.
Some of Kevin’s brood popped up on the red carpet (Picture: Splash)
‘My children, if they’re not interested in the business, I’m not going to automatically give them something because I know there’s other people that this is a dream for.’
Kevin also shed light on another reason he wanted Hayes on board, adding: ‘I’m also a father and it was a part that wasn’t that long – and I wanted him to be close to me. I was away from home, I needed my family close to me, and it was a way for me to trap him.
‘I thought he was just beautiful in the movie.’
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is set for release in cinemas on June 28, with Chapter 2 to follow on August 16.
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