Kevin Costner’s New American West Film Sparks Online Panic Over Alleged ‘Time-Travel Plot’
Social media erupted this morning with claims that Kevin Costner’s upcoming American West film *The Horizon Chronicles* includes a “shocking time-travel twist” where cowboys use smartphones to prevent a historical massacre. The viral post, shared over 100,000 times on X, alleges that leaked set footage shows cast members holding 21st-century devices. Real vs. Fake: This rumor is entirely fabricated. Fact-checkers confirm the leaked “footage” is a deepfake from a fan-made parody, and Costner’s production team has stated the film is a straightforward period drama with no anachronistic elements. The real risk? This hoax distracts from legitimate concerns about the film’s budget and distribution delays. Verified production notes show it’s still set in the 1880s, with no time machines in sight.