Among the multitudes of Western shows that have graced the screens since the era of television, Yellowstone has to be one of the most beloved, popular, and large-scale projects to exist. Created by Taylor Sheridan for Paramount Network, the series that revolves around the Dutton family and their ruthless drive for power and control has entranced many viewers across the globe into falling in love with the show’s lore.
However, all good things are bound to be impermanent which in turn makes them all the more valuable. The recent upheaval surrounding Yellowstone‘s production and its lead cast member, Kevin Costner has only brought more negative attention to the series and the streamer. Without any resolution in sight, the matter concerning Taylor Sheridan and his leading man has piled on top of an already complicated bundle of issues plaguing the Yellowstone universe.
Taylor Sheridan Finds No Resolution for Yellowstone Problem
With Kevin Costner on his way to greener pastures, there hasn’t been much to report on the status of Taylor Sheridan‘s Yellowstone series and its future status at Paramount. Costner, on the other hand, has been busy up to his neck with work for his dream project, Horizon: An American Saga, which recently released the first out of four chapters in the narrative.
Elsewhere, Paramount has been caught between rock and a hard place as studio executives and the show’s creator remains at the mercy of Kevin Costner and his relatively forgiving attitude. Considering the A-lister’s own complaints regarding the series, the studio, and his working conditions, there seems to be a very limited range of options for Sheridan to choose from.
The backup plan concerning the extension of the Yellowstone universe via a spin-off and closing out the original Dutton family chapter is now in murky waters. With the Matthew McConaughey deal taking longer than expected, one thing is for sure – Sheridan’s catalog is shaking like a house of cards ready to topple.
Kevin Costner Faces Judgment From Yellowstone Co-stars
Stepping into a project with their full commitment and quitting halfway through the final few seasons is the opposite of a graceful exit strategy. And having worked in the industry for almost 50 years, Costner ought to know that as a rule of thumb. However, a 14-month-long hiatus with no assurance of filming getting back on track, repeated rehashing of the negotiations, and piling up one season on top of another will do that to an actor who only signed up for one season’s worth of work.
However, given the fact that Yellowstone is a family affair and the patriarch walking out on said family can disrupt an entire ecosystem, Kevin Costner is not on the best of terms with Taylor Sheridan or his Yellowstone castmates. According to an insider interview with Life & Style Magazine:
He used to hear from Cole and the rest of the gang — but they’ve cut him loose in the months since he walked away from the show. They’re making no effort to see him and don’t get excited when he calls. They’ve drifted away.
With Kelly Reilly calling him “one of the nicest, most generous actors I’ve worked with,” and Luke Grimes labeling his career as nothing short of “legendary,” Kevin Costner feels even further betrayed by their sudden lack of concern about his emotional need and well-being. According to the insider source:
After all that praise, you can imagine Kevin being a little hurt by their rejection. He’s getting the cold shoulder treatment. It’s a kick in the teeth!
With the final episodes in production and yet no mention of Kevin Costner’s involvement in the series, one can expect his character to be written off the show by attributing his death to colon cancer – a valid and reasonable arc that was already explored once on the show.