Kurt Russell & Kevin Costner Feud Explained: It Was Never About Wyatt Earp
Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner only shared the screen once, and it didn't go smoothly.
Their lone collaboration, the 2001 Elvis-themed heist film 3000 Miles to Graceland, ended in post-production clashes, conflicting edits, and a massive box office flop.
For years, fans assumed the rift between the two stars dated back to their dueling Wyatt Earp projects in the '90s — Russell's Tombstone in 1993, and Costner's Wyatt Earp in 1994. Costner was originally attached to Tombstone, but walked away after creative disagreements and allegedly tried to block the film's release. Tombstone became a cult hit. Wyatt Earp bombed.
But according to those who worked on Graceland, there was no personal beef — just two big-name actors with very different ideas of what movie they thought they were making.
The Creative Standoff
After filming wrapped, the producers did something unorthodox: they let both stars edit their own versions of the movie to test on audiences.
- Russell's cut focused more on character and romance, particularly between his character and Courteney Cox's.
- Costner's cut cranked up the action and leaned into the bloodshed.
Test audiences reportedly preferred Costner's version — and that's what was released. Costner, who was known for taking control in post (he famously clashed with director Kevin Reynolds on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), ended up steering the final product.
Kurt Russell, for his part, walked away from the experience with no public complaints — though it's worth noting the two barely share screen time after the first act.
The Box Office Numbers
3000 Miles to Graceland tanked — hard. Here's how it broke down:
- Production budget: $47 million
- Worldwide gross: $18.7 million
- U.S. gross: $15.7 million
- Most international markets: straight to video
Despite a stacked cast that included Russell, Costner, Courteney Cox, Christian Slater, and Thomas Haden Church — and a plot built around Elvis impersonators robbing a casino — audiences weren't buying it. The movie's tone veered wildly between John Woo-style violence and bad comedy, and the nu-metal soundtrack didn't help.
Costner was said to enjoy going full villain for once, chewing the scenery like he hadn't eaten in days. But critics weren't impressed, and the film quickly vanished from theaters.
Bonus Financial Trivia
- Costner's own Wyatt Earp (1994) cost $63 million and grossed just $56 million worldwide.
- Tombstone (1993), which Costner reportedly tried to sabotage, cost $25 million and made $73 million globally.
In the end, the Russell/Costner "feud" wasn't a shouting match — it was a creative clash that ended with a compromised film and a big financial loss. And while both men moved on, they never worked together again. Probably for the best.