In addition to rampant rumors of a feud between the “Yellowstone” star and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, Costner has also been going through a contentious divorce with his wife of nearly 20 years, Christine Baumgartner.
Costner’s personal and professional dealings collided on September 1 during a divorce proceeding regarding child support. Costner said during the hearing that the decision to split the fifth season up into two parts finalized his decision to leave the show.
The actor did mention, however, that he made one final attempt to return and asked his representatives to “have them pay me whatever number, we came up with a number, and they Yellowstone walked away.”
Costner also said in the hearing he was considering suing over his “Yellowstone” pay.While it initially seemed he was referring to pay for the second half of the fifth season, which was slated to come out this fall before the industry strikes upended Hollywood productions, Puck reported Thursday Costner had already been paid for all of season five.
That suggested Costner was actually threatening to sue for pay for seasons 6 and possibly 7 — seasons that presumably won’t be made since Paramount Network announced in May the show was concluding after its fifth season.
Sheridan has said that there will be a spinoff of the show with Matthew McConaughey playing the lead role.Costner’s mention of a potential lawsuit at that divorce hearing may have further jeopardized his chances of coming back for the second half of season five, according to Puck.
Puck, citing anonymous sources, reported that Costner and Sheridan spoke in July to discuess terms under which Costner could return to close out the show. And Paramount Media Network’s CEO Chris McCarthy was reportedly holding out hope that talks with Costner’s team could resume — at least until the lawsuit over pay was floated.
A source familiar with the studio’s thinking told Puck that the offer to return was pulled.Representatives for Costner and Paramount did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
As the “Yellowstone” drama plays out, Costner has been going back and forth with his ex-wife through attorneys over legal fees.
Baumgartner previously requested Costner to pay $885,000 in legal fees for “1,106 hours of attorney time at a rate of $800/hour.”
Costner’s lawyers called the demand “nothing short of outrageous.”
The two still have to decide if the spousal support waiver in their premarital agreement is enforceable.