Behind-the-Scenes Yellowstone Drama is Now More Juicy Than the Show Itself
On-screen drama is great. Off-screen drama? Not so much.
And when off-screen drama affects the final product, it might end up a disaster. That’s just what’s happening with Yellowstone and its macho-man, egotistical star and its equally egotistical creator.
Kevin Costner is reportedly in a “standoff” with Paramount executives. Despite being the highest-paid television actor right now, he wants higher pay.
By itself, not a big deal - Yellowstone’s been one of the most popular and profitable shows since its inception. But he wants this raise despite consistently making himself less available for filming. A recent Deadline report alleged that Costner wanted all of his scenes this season to be filmed in a single week.
Though his lawyers deny the report, delays in production point to clear and evident behind-the-scenes drama. The second half of Season 5 was originally expected for this summer, but now it’s pushed at least to November. Even that date is in jeopardy, considering they haven’t even begun filming.
Paramount executives are reportedly on the side of Taylor Sheridan, the show’s creator. They’ve threatened to replace Costner with Matthew McConaughey if he continues this standoff.
Sheridan himself isn’t all that innocent; he’s brought his fair share of drama ever since his initial pitch. He was allegedly brazen in his demands that he’d have exclusive control over every aspect of the show. Paramount would fund his $100 million project and stay out of the way. And while it paid off, his personality has apparently rubbed Costner the wrong way.
Beyond just his disposition on Yellowstone’s set and its effect on his star, Sheridan’s intense schedule probably has a part to play in the show’s delays. He’s currently got two Yellowstone spin-off series in development, 1923 and 1883.
Being a showrunner on three high-budget and strenuous shows is a tall task - one that seems to be affecting the franchise’s main run.
The cast and creators of Yellowstone were supposed to make an appearance at PaleyFest, a convention for TV fans. At the very last minute, they all dropped out - not even giving the festival enough time to update their information.
They chalked it up to “scheduling conflicts” - the same excuse that they’ve used to cover up all of their recent public issues.
It’s clear that there’s something deeply wrong behind-the-scenes of Yellowstone and its two most important figures. Fans are left having to wonder when - or if - Season 5 will return. And if it does, they may have to be prepared to see someone new playing John Dutton.