Looks Like Kevin Costner's Not Wanted Anymore on Yellowstone Set

Surely not. But that scenario is looking increasingly likely as tensions between the Hollywood star and the show's producers show little sign of cooling.

As John Dutton III, Costner has been the patriarch of the family through the first 5 seasons – and it seems odd in some ways that we're even contemplating the show without him.

Although, with Dutton being made Governor of Montana in season 5 (for which 6 more episodes are due to be released in summer 2023), there is a fairly straightforward way of distancing from day-to-day life on the ranch. Particularly if his impending impeachment goes ahead.

With that said, though, it would seem strange for John to be impeached and then that entire storyline either be ignored or play out in his absence.

But just what has happened to bring this situation about?

Clearly enjoying the Stetson look, Costner is due to begin filming Horizon (a new Western movie) which will clash with his commitments to Yellowstone. The rumour is that the actor asked the showrunners for permission to film just one week for the second half of the upcoming season. This request was denied, with execs allegedly telling him that his paycheck for Yellowstone warrants him doing what they say, when they say it.

As rumours began to circulate, Costner's attorney, Marty Singer, put a stop to any gossip, so little is known about exactly what was said – or what it means for future seasons of the show. But he did say that suggestions that Costner had asked to shoot everything in a single week were wide of the mark.

Although, according to ET Canada, due to the negativity surrounding Costner's scheduling issues, it will be "very difficult for him to come back to the show".

Known for being the lawyer who can make almost any story go away, it's no surprise that Singer has been able to quash the rumours. But the question of what happens next still lingers. There are concerns that Kevin Costner is no longer wanted on Yellowstone because of his standoff with Taylor Sheridan.

Of course, Yellowstone can't go on forever. And neither did its creators expect it to. But the show's popularity has already led to several spinoffs. 1883 and 1923 are both prequels to Yellowstone. And 6666, which is yet to be released will be set in the same time period as Yellowstone but follow cowboys on a different ranch.

So, whether Kevin Costner or Yellowstone come along for the ride, it appears there's still plenty of life left in the franchise.