'Hatfields & McCoys' is a hit, but Kevin Costner is missing

'Hatfields & McCoys' is a hit, but Kevin Costner is missing

Not only is History's miniseries "Hatfields McCoys" a smash hit, but it's earned star Kevin Costner glowing reviews while giving his career, which has hit a few bumps in recent years, new life and vibrancy.

But Costner is not exactly basking in the acclaim. In fact, he's doing just the opposite.

Leslie Greif, CEO and founder of Thinkfactory Media, the key driving force behind "Hatfields and McCoys," has been reaching out to Costner to congratulate him on the project's huge success, but he's been unable so far to connect with the Oscar winner.

"He's MIA, he's out of the country, he's incommunicado," said Greif, who is also executive producer of the miniseries. "No one can reach him. We're all desperate to reach him. He has no idea what's going on."

But don't panic. Greif has a pretty good idea where Costner is.

"He's off the coast of Africa somewhere," Greif said. "He has a company that goes on explorations, and he's on a treasure dive in parts unknown. He's diving for treasure."

Costner has always been around for the premiere of his movies. The only other time he's missed an opening was with his epic "Dances With Wolves" in 1990.

And we all remember what happened with that film -- it pulled down a bunch of Oscars, including one for best picture and a directing award for Costner.

"So this is a good omen," Greif said.

Tuesday, the second night of the three-night miniseries about the 19th century family feud, attracted 13.1 million viewers, only a slight decline from the massive audience of 13.9 million viewers who tuned in for Chapter 1 on Monday.

"Hatfields McCoys" has been a passion project for Greif for 30 years. He first tried to produce at the height of popularity of network miniseries, thinking it would be an instant hit.

"I never wavered," he said. "Someone asked me if I feel vindicated. But I really feel validated more than vindicated. It's a story that's timeless."

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--Greg Braxton

Photo: Kevin Costner, center, in "Hatfields and McCoys." Credit: Chris Large