Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has revealed that there are “ongoing talks” with Kevin Costner to film the final episodes of the hit show.
The award-winning actor, 68, shocked fans everywhere when he decided he wanted to leave the show after five successful seasons to focus on his mammoth western project.
Paramount confirmed that the drama will end after the second half of the fifth season and there were concerns that Costner could walk out before final episodes wrapped amid reports of a feud with Sheridan.
But Sheridan has revealed that they are in talks with him to film the final scenes with his character and said the scripts are not yet finalized, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He also hinted that Costner’s iconic character John Dutton would never be around until the end of the show.
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan (right) has revealed there are “ongoing talks” with Kevin Costner to film the final episodes of the hit show
Kevin Costner, 68, shocked fans everywhere when he decided he wanted to leave the show after five successful seasons to focus on his mammoth western project
“My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t changed,” says Sheridan. “His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful… and I’ve never had a problem with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work it out on the phone,” Sheridan said.
“But once lawyers get involved, people can’t talk to each other and they start saying things that aren’t true and try to shift blame based on how the press or public seems to react.
“He took a lot of this on the chin and I don’t know if anyone deserves it. His film seems to be a big priority for him and he wants to shift the focus. I certainly hope so [the movie is] worth it – and that it’s a good one.’
The creator added, “I’m disappointed. It cuts off the closure of his character. It doesn’t change it, but it cuts it off.’
Sheridan hinted at how Costner’s character wouldn’t be around for Yellowstone’s end and the conclusion isn’t any different from his original movie script.
Costner is leaving the show to focus on his new four-part film project Horizon, which he will direct, produce and star in. He has a massive 220 day shooting schedule.
He spent 35 years on the production and completed filming the first film in November 2022, with the second expected to wrap up this week.
The actor allegedly asked to work fewer and fewer days during the last few seasons of Yellowstone, and producers were reportedly frustrated.
But a source said Costner was “waiting for scripts” and he blocked time in his schedule to film the show, but this was constantly pushed back.
“Kevin has been unfairly portrayed in this,” the insider said. “How can you plan something if there are no scripts? [Sheridan’s] do eight other shows.”
It was alleged that Costner grew frustrated with the direction Dutton was taking and was told by Sheridan to “stick to acting.”
Sheridan hinted that Costner’s iconic character John Dutton would never be around until the show’s end
Costner is leaving Yellowstone to focus on his new four-part film project Horizon, which he will direct, produce and star in
But the director said that never happened, but there was a point during season two where Costner was upset.
“I never had that conversation with Kevin,” he insisted. “There was a time in season two when he was really upset and said the character wasn’t going in the direction he wanted.
“I said, ‘Kevin, remember when I told you this is essentially The Godfather on the biggest ranch in Montana? Are you that surprised that the Godfather kills people?’
What he clings to is [Dutton’s] obligations to his family and way of life. Dutton’s big failure doesn’t evolve with time – he doesn’t find other streams of income [for the ranch].
“Kevin felt season two was a departure from that, and I don’t know if he was wrong. We went into it again in season three.”
Sheridan added, “And I remember he won a Golden Globe last year for his performance, so I think it works.”
When asked if there was anything he could do to prevent the situation from escalating, he said, “I didn’t do anything!
“I don’t dictate the schedule. I don’t control when things start filming. I don’t control when things air.
“Those decisions are made by people far above me. My control area is the content – that’s all. No production of mine has ever waited for me.’
But Paramount CEO Chris McCarthy pointed to Costner’s “very tight window” as the reason why the show ended earlier than expected.
“We had a main talent that we love, and [Costner’s] shooting four features back to back,” he said.
“This Yellowstone chapter is closing faster than we all wanted, but we’re feeling good about where it’s going to end.”
Yellowstone is slated to return in November, and Sheridan has suggested it could be longer than the reported six final episodes.