Following his high-profile exit from his role in the hit Western series, Kevin Costner explains his issues with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan.
Kevin Costner opens up about his relationship with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, following the lead actor’s headline-grabbing exit from season 5. Costner’s tumultuous departure from the central role of John Dutton has kept one of television’s most successful shows in the news during an extended hiatus. The result of the reported feud between Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan looks to be that Yellowstone will end without an appearance by the two-time Oscar winner returning for the final episodes.
But in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly to promote his upcoming movie Horizon: An American Saga, Costner opened up about his relationship with Sheridan and said the two haven’t talked about the possibility of John Dutton appearing in Yellowstone season 5 part 2. However, he does mention that he’s open to working with Sheridan again on a future project. The full quote is below:
No, we haven’t [talked]. He’s doing special work in a lot of different ways. He’s very prolific about the things he does, and if he sees me in something that he wants to do, I’ll look at it just the way I did Yellowstone and maybe we will end up doing something together. He likes a lot of the things that I like, and the idea of us working together is not out of the question for me. The subjects he chooses are very interesting to me. I like a lot of that stuff. Yellowstone stands as something that could continue. But that is a Taylor question. But other things that he’s doing I think are really, really good. He likes the same subjects that I do.
Costner’s Yellowstone Conflict, Explained
Costner Reportedly Wants To Return To Yellowstone
Costner had reportedly tried negotiating with Paramount last summer, combined with what was described as ” aggressive demands ” to Sheridan and producers.
Reports of the conflict began early in 2023, as news circulated that Costner was refusing to finish season 5 part 2 until he was given a reduced schedule to film his upcoming two-part Western movie Horizon. The news also mentioned that Costner wanted to be satisfied with his character’s arc. From there, it was announced that Yellowstone would end with season 5, but it would be revived through a spinoff sequel series, with Matthew McConaughey potentially starring.
Costner had reportedly tried negotiating with Paramount last summer, combined with what was described as “aggressive demands” to Sheridan and producers. At the time, it was stressed that Costner wanted to return to Yellowstone, according to the actor’s producing partner, Rod Lake. The star felt it’d be a good way of promoting his Horizon movies, which will debut on June 28 in the U.S., while also giving viewers what they wanted. But that, so far, hasn’t led to plans for the actor to return as John Dutton.
Yellowstone actor Ian Bohen, who plays Ryan on the show, recently shared that filming on the Western’s final episodes will begin over the summer. So there may be some hope that Costner could make at least a few appearances as Dutton, especially since the actor is signaling his openness to work with Sheridan again.