The Bonkers Action Movie That Brought Kevin Costner And Kurt Russell Together
3000 Miles to Graceland is the bonkers action movie that brought Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner together, though it was one that didn't quite live up to the hype.
Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner have both been running around Hollywood for so long that they were bound to end up in a movie together at some point. Unfortunately for them and audiences, that movie is 3000 Miles to Graceland. If you haven’t heard of 3000 Miles to Graceland or seen it, you could probably consider yourself lucky.
At first glance, 3000 Miles to Graceland seems like a perfectly fine concept for a wacky heist movie. The film follows ex-con Michael (Kurt Russell) and his former cellmate Murphy (Kevin Costner) who plan a hotel heist during International Elvis Week in Vegas. Costner and Russell as thieving Elvises should work, but it really doesn’t.
You don’t have to take my word for it though, 3000 Miles to Graceland has an abysmal 14% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a barely serviceable 46% from audiences. Theatergoers in 2001 were thoroughly interested in the film too, as it was an undeniable box office bomb. 3000 Miles to Graceland only managed to bring in $7.1 million on its opening weekend and $18.7 million at the worldwide box office against a $62 million budget. Terrible outing for Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell, who are usually quite successful in the box office.
To add insult to injury, 3000 Miles to Graceland was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards. No one from the film was safe, with a Worst Actor nom for Kevin Costner, a Worst Actress nom for Courtney Cox, and Worst Screen Couple for Kurt Russell and either Costner or Cox. While it didn’t take home any of the Golden Raspberry Awards, it was nominated for Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay as well.
3000 Miles to Graceland was directed by Demian Lichtenstein, who also co-wrote the script with Richard Recco. The film managed to assemble a pretty great cast that included Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Bokeem Woodbine, Christian Slater, Kevin Pollak, and Daisy McCrackin. Unfortunately, the sum was much lesser than the parts and the film is best viewed on “so bad it’s kind of enjoyable” movie nights.
Fortunately for Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell, their careers were well-established by 2001 and there was no way a misfire like 3000 Miles to Graceland would throw off either of their careers. Costner has enjoyed quite a bit of success in the world of television as of late in his hit series Yellowstone, which is going into a two-part fifth season. Yellowstone‘s fifth season premiere kicks off on November 13.
Kevin Costner is also in the midst of filming his next directorial effort, Horizon. Costner is pulling triple-duty on Horizon, as he also stars in the film and co-writes the script with Jon Baird. The film will follow 15 years of pre-and post-Civil War Western expansion in America.
Kevin Costner’s bold new film has a stacked cast that includes Isabelle Fuhrman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Michael Rooker, Thomas Haden Church, Luke Wilson, Ella Hunt, Tatanka Means, Alejandro Edda, and Chase Ramsey. Thomas Haden Church also happened to star alongside Costner in 3000 Miles to Graceland, but it seems likely that Horizon will fare a little better. Currently, Horizon doesn’t have a release date.
Kurt Russell has had a relatively quiet year, but he’s gearing up to star in his first live-action TV role since the late ’70s. Russell will be starring in an untitled Apple TV Godzilla series set in Legendary’s Monsterverse. The series will follow a family uncovering their buried secrets and their links to the Monarch organization.
The untitled series also stars Russell’s son, Wyatt Russell, who recently joined his dad as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kurt Russell previously played Star-Lord’s dad Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. and reprised the role to voice Ego in the animated What If…? series. Wyatt played Captain America’s temporary replacement in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier before eventually becoming the anti-hero US Agent.
With the level of experience under Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner’s belt at this point in their careers, it doesn’t seem too likely that they would choose another flop like 3000 Miles to Graceland for their next project. Of course, the two actors don’t show any sign of slowing down, so it’s always a possibility. If you’re in the mood for some punishment, you can rent 3000 Miles to Graceland on several platforms and witness one of the worst movies from both actors’ careers.
