Kevin Costner has disputed the idea that his son is a ‘nepo baby’ despite casting him in his latest project.

The Waterworld actor stars in and directs Western epic film series Horizon: An American Saga, with its first part set to release on June 28.

Speaking on the Today Show earlier this week, Costner opened up about his son’s involvement in the project, and how he’s aware of how it might look. “I have not shoved my children into the business,” he said.

“I realize there’s so many young actors out there that would just kill to be in this movie. And I don’t want to take those parts away from them just because I can place my own children in.”

However, he explained that casting his 15-year-old son in Horizon was partly a way of increasing their time spent together: “But in this instance because it was a smaller part I selfishly wanted him with me for the week, two weeks he was with me.”

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He explained: “We would drive to the set every day and he would whisper, he didn’t have a lot of experience but he’s really beautiful in the movie.”

The topic of nepotism in Hollywood has been highly debated in recent years, with many A-lister’s children securing roles in high-profile movies and TV shows.

Back in December, Meg Ryan opened up about her son Jack, who she shares with actor Dennis Quaid, and who stars in hit superhero series The Boys.

She pushed back on the term ‘nepo baby’, saying: “Jack is really talented. He’s more of a natural than I’ll ever be. That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts, and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege.”

In other news, earlier this month Costner opened up about the eulogy he read at Whitney Houston’s funeral.