Pretty Much Everyone Says Costner is to Leave Yellowstone After Season 5
Could it be even earlier?
After months of speculation, the rumours that Kevin Costner will not be returning to Yellowstone after season 5 look to have all but been confirmed.
When news first broke concerning an alleged fallout between the Hollywood star and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan, those associated with the modern-day western remained tight-lipped.
But in an interview with ET, reporter Matthew Belloni, founding partner of Puck News and the first to reveal that tensions were brewing said, “Kevin Costner is famously headstrong and he has been at odds with Taylor Sheridan, the creator of this show, for months now over the days that he's gonna be shooting for the next part of the season”.
Now, in an exclusive, sources close to the show have said Costner will not be returning to the show after season 5.
The row seems to be over filming schedules, with reports suggesting Costner was only prepared to work on season 5 of Yellowstone for one week due to other recording commitments - a rumour that Costner’s lawyer flatly denies.
Regardless of the background to the situation, though, what we do know is that filming has been put on hold for the current season. And, as of yet, nobody knows when it will recommence according to ET’s source.
Despite Keith Cox, Paramount’s President and Production, saying in April that he was “very confident” the star would continue his role as John Dutton, so far no positive updates have emerged to counter the growing groundswell of feeling that this is the end of the road for the Dances With Wolves actor.
Paramount’s confidence was further undermined when Costner, along with other senior cast members and Taylor Sheridan failed to show up at a recent PaleyFest.
Costner and Sheridan had been scheduled to attend a Q&A at the event for which fans had paid up to $100. As had Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Betley, Gil Birmingham and Jacki Weaver. In the end none of these stars appeared, with all claiming it was down to schedule clashes.
Really? All of them? Unable to make a pre-planned and prepaid event? You can see why pretty much everyone is now saying Kevin Costner is leaving Yellowstone.
So, maybe the question is whether he will even return to complete filming for season five. Or have things got so bad between him and Sheridan that the situation is irreconcilable?
And what of the other no-shows? Aside from being a kick in the teeth for loyal fans of the show, was their absence a show of support for Costner? And if so, what does standing against the network so publicly do for their status?
Who knows? The only thing that seems certain right now is that there’ll be no more onscreen drama until the offscreen drama has been dealt with.
Source: ET, ET, ET.