Production delays for 1923 Season 2 pose challenges for the Yellowstone franchise, potentially forcing a change in filming location
For season 2 of 1923, the Yellowstone spinoff, a new sound stage will be required as production continues. Led by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, the series features Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton and Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, navigating the challenges of drought and the Great Depression in rural Montana.
Serving as both a Yellowstone prequel and a sequel to the series 1883, KXLF has reported that 1923 season 2 will not utilize the Butte Civic Center in Butte, Montana as a sound stage in the future. This is due to the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, along with production delays, preventing the start of filming in November as initially planned. Consequently, when production for 1923 season 2 commences, an alternative sound stage will need to be found.
“It’s disappointing in the fact that people were looking forward to ‘1923’ coming back and having production in town, but we understand,” said Butte Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher.
The civic center’s governing board recently agreed to end its lease with King Street Productions to use the facility for storage and interior sets for the filming of the second season of ‘1923’ which features Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
“They just could not build everything, be ready to film before November, and get it all done, they had lost the timing of that,” said Civic Center Manager Bill Melvin.
Under the agreement, the production company will continue to pay $75,000 a month until it moves out at the end of August. They also agreed to pay $200,000 for the replacement of new bleacher seats that were damaged. The Council of Commissioners will vote on whether to approve the agreement or not.
Why The Yellowstone Franchise Is Facing Major Production Delays
The production issues faced by the Yellowstone franchise extend beyond the 1923 season 2. The writers and actors strikes have caused a pause in the production of Yellowstone season 5 part 2, which was originally expected to premiere in November. As a result, it may take a considerable amount of time before the second half of Yellowstone season 5 is released on Paramount Network.
Furthermore, in addition to the production issues, Kevin Costner, who portrays John Dutton, will be departing from the show in season 5 part 2. This upcoming season will bring an end to the series, paving the way for a sequel led by Matthew McConaughey. Although the initial plan was for the Yellowstone sequel series to air in December, the strikes by the writers and actors are likely to cause a delay in those plans as well.
Filming for Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a spinoff of Yellowstone, started in January 2023, but it is unclear if any strikes or production problems have affected the show. Considering the numerous challenges faced by the Yellowstone series recently, it appears to be going through a difficult phase. Nevertheless, with four undisclosed Yellowstone prequels in progress, it is probable that both the 1923 story and other Yellowstone shows will bounce back from their production issues once the Hollywood strikes conclude.