Kevin Costner’s Power Move: Yellowstone Star Wants Final Say on His Exit
Hollywood Heavyweight is NOT going down without a final fight.
It has been a pretty awful stretch for Kevin Costner. First, he got into a showdown with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan over the shooting schedule for season five which contributed to new episodes being delayed for this upcoming summer.
Then, his wife of 18 years - Christine Baumgartner - filed for divorce last week. Of course, this timing was not ideal with the reports that Yellowstone is returning, with or without Costner, by the end of 2023.
In the end, it’s difficult to imagine Yellowstone without Costner yet several spin-offs have already been successful in his absence and, given the low reception of part 1 of season five - it’s probably for the best. Needless to say, that doesn’t mean Costner isn’t going down without a fight.
Kevin Costner is holding Yellowstone hostage
The 68-year-old actor is mulling over his next move following the announcement from Paramount that part 2 of season five of Yellowstone returns in November. And, according to insiders, he is far from pleased with the decision to move forward with the production.
The rumors are that Costner is willing to even go as far as refuse and return for filming until the actor approves how John Dutton is written off the show. Of course, this causes another rupture with Sheridan who is notoriously private and protective revealing anything about Yellowstone, including the future direction of the show. Now, Sheridan will have to decide how to respond, contributing to another wrinkle in the Yellowstone saga.
The feud between Sheridan, Costner, and Paramount is getting worse
Unfortunately, the dirt keeps getting worse coming out of the Yellowstone news feed. Based on these new reports, it’s evident that the dispute between them is not getting any better. In fact, Costner is reportedly outraged with the way Paramount decided to handle the announcement that part 2 is returning in November.
Moreover, he seems intent on exercising creative control over Yellowstone primarily because of the way other characters have been “killed” off popular series in an unwarranted fashion. For example, Puck News reported that Costner is concerned Sheridan would do “what Shonda Rhimes did to Patrick Dempsey” in Grey’s Anatomy.
Costner losing millions leaving Yellowstone prematurely
Costner, who earns $1.3 million per episode for season five of Yellowstone, stands to lose millions leaving the new-age western. Nevertheless, he appears intent on doing as much, recently setting his sights on his own upcoming western series.
Therefore, Costner will survive the loss (just like he’ll survive his second divorce), but for now it’s got to sting the way Sheridan and Paramount have elected to treat him. Costner is certainly not completely innocent, but this is no way to say goodbye to a leading star.