Kevin Costner’s exit from Yellowstone has put the show’s final season into a challenging situation, but one idea for the John Dutton character could make up for it. Since 2018, Kevin Costner has led the Yellowstone cast, resulting in some of the most exciting Western television of the century. Created by Taylor Sheridan, the series has maintained relatively consistent critical acclaim, with its most recent season arriving in late 2022. Unfortunately, delays like the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and behind-the-scenes drama have affected the final season’s release.
Yellowstone season 5, part 2, is set to be the final chapter of the beloved series, though Taylor Sheridan has already begun expanding the franchise with spin-off shows. Two prequels, 1883 and 1923, have already been released, and other shows set in the same world are underway. As for Yellowstone, the series may not receive the ending it deserves, as Kevin Costner is reportedly not returning for the final season, leaving Sheridan to complete the series without its main character. As the franchise’s cornerstone show, Yellowstone ending poorly could have further consequences for the franchise.
A John Dutton Prequel Can Give Yellowstone Fans More Of The Character (Since Season 5 Can’t)
A report from Puck states that Taylor Sheridan is “super happy with how he currently wraps up the show without Costner.” It’s fantastic that Taylor Sheridan is confident he can finish Yellowstone without the main character, but whether the series ends with positive acclaim or not, a hole is still being left behind in the franchise. Kevin Costner’s John Dutton is the core of the Yellowstone franchise, and more stories surrounding the character could be vital to keeping things going. A prequel series centered around John Dutton could be the best solution.
Yellowstone star Josh Lucas, who’s played the younger version of John Dutton in flashbacks, was asked about playing the character in a prequel or future Yellowstone spin-offs. He replied, saying, “I also think it’s a world that I would absolutely love to explore further.” Lucas may be on board, but given that the actor is 52 years old, it may even be worthwhile to explore a version of Dutton earlier in the timeline, casting an exciting young star who could match Costner’s screen presence. Either way, more John Dutton could be an exciting way to maintain franchise consistency.
A John Dutton Prequel Could Bring Even More Depth To The Yellowstone Character
Among the fantastic cast of characters in Yellowstone, John Dutton is perhaps the most complex. At first glance, his being a wealthy man with more land than anyone needs, who’s a dismissive father at best, makes him seem detestable. Yet, John Dutton abides by a code of honor, and as viewers are welcomed into the luscious Yellowstone ranch and sprawling nature of Montana, it becomes completely understandable why a man would want to defend such beauty from modern corporations and urbanization. A prequel has the opportunity to explore even more depth.
John Dutton feels like a character with an infinite wealth of stories to tell, and five Yellowstone seasons aren’t enough to cover them.
A vital aspect of Dutton’s character is that he’s been weathered by a lifetime of defending his land. There are a plethora of stories to tell from before the events of Yellowstone, be it about him and his late father, a romantic tragedy with his wife or the many threats from politicians and business people hoping to use him and his land for their gain. John Dutton feels like a character with an infinite wealth of stories to tell, and five Yellowstone seasons aren’t enough to cover them.
Could A John Dutton Prequel Actually Happen After Yellowstone Ends?
Given the number of Yellowstone prequels and spin-offs already in development, anything seems possible in Taylor Sheridan’s Western franchise. The creator hasn’t spoken about the possibility, as he’s busy with 6666, Yellowstone season 5, part 2, and early production for 2024, a spin-off that could star Matthew McConaughey. Taylor Sheridan’s shows also include non-Yellowstone projects that he develops for Paramount+, including Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King.
If Taylor Sheridan intends to keep making prequels about the Yellowstone ranch, another time jump following 1923 could put him in John Dutton’s early years. The character’s fictional date of birth is in 1956, so setting a show in the ’60s during his youth exploring his father could segue directly into a show about his early years running the ranch. Sheridan has numerous Yellowstone projects in development, so it would likely be years before he followed up on the John Dutton character, if ever.