Studio bosses issue a statement after Kevin Costner has officially announced his departure from 'Yellowstone', setting off waves of speculation and disappointment among fans.
- Jun 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - "Yellowstone" upcoming fifth season part two, set to premiere on November 10, will unfold without Kevin Costner. Paramount Network has confirmed this, while the actor, during a press run for his new film "Horizon: An American Saga", shared his thoughts and feelings on social media.
"Kevin has been a big part of Yellowstone's success," the Paramount Network spokesperson began. "While we had hoped that we would continue working with him, unfortunately, we could not find a window that worked for him, all the other talent and our production needs in order to move forward together. We respect that Kevin has prioritized his new film series and we wish him the best."
Costner himself conveyed his attachment to the series, saying,
"I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year-and-a-half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that's required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I'm not going to be able to continue Season 5B or into the future."
Reports surfaced earlier this year, indicating internal disputes between Costner and Taylor Sheridan, "Yellowstone" creator, over conflicting schedules due to Costner's commitments to Horizon. Despite this, both Costner and his lawyer denied claims that he was prioritizing the film at Yellowstone's expense. Costner's lawyer firmly stated,
"The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season five of Yellowstone is an absolute lie."
The legal entanglements and revised production windows further strained the relationship, leading to an unresolved conflict. Taylor Sheridan expressed disappointment over the situation, lamenting the abrupt truncation of John Dutton's storyline.
"My last conversation with Kevin was that he had this passion project he wanted to direct. He and the network were arguing about when he could be done with Yellowstone," Sheridan told The Hollywood Reporter, "I said, 'We can certainly work a schedule toward [his preferred exit date],' which we did."
In May 2024, Costner made a bold statement at the Cannes Film Festival, disclosing unheard details of the contractual dispute and expressing discontent over how he was portrayed in the media. He stated,
"I made a contract for seasons 5, 6, and 7... They wanted to redo that one, and instead of seasons 6 and 7, it was 5A and 5B, and maybe we'll do 6. They weren't able to make those. Horizon was set in the middle, but Yellowstone was first position. I fit [Horizon] into the gaps. They just kept moving their gaps."
Despite the tensions, fans are left with a bittersweet closure. Costner's contribution and portrayal of John Dutton left an indelible mark, and his commitment to "Yellowstone" remains commendable. The series will continue, albeit in a new direction, potentially with Matthew McConaughey leading the franchise forward. Both Costner and the show's creators hope for mutual success in their upcoming endeavors.
