As the alleged feud between Yellowstone's Kevin Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan rages on, Paramount is charting a course forward. Previous reports about the doomsday scenario for the popular western drama warned that the star would not return after the Season Five finale. Now, new information regarding Paramount's plan to finish the series has only offered more questions that answers.
The final episodes of Yellowstone Season Five will premiere in November 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reveals. Two spinoffs will follow soon after, with one taking place in the present day, and the other one set in 1944. While it's great that the rest of Season Five is finally on the calendar, the news doesn't answer whether or not Costner will return to say goodbye to the Dutton family patriarch. According to new information from Hollywood insider Matthew Belloni, Costner may not appear at all. "My understanding is that, as of now, he is not gonna be in those episodes," Belloni stated on his podcast, The Town.
Costner last spoke about his tenure on the show publicly during his divorce hearings this past September. The actor said in his testimony that he will "probably go to court" over the Yellowstone drama. "We did negotiate," Costner revealed to Deadline, noting that he was already paid for Season Five and was offered $24 million for a potential sixth and seventh season. "There were issues about creative," he continued, referencing his ongoing battles with Sheridan. "Somewhere along the line, they wanted to change things. They wanted to do 5A and 5B; [it] affected Horizon. I was going to do my movie Horizon and leave that show, do my movie, then do B. A show I was only doing once a year I was now doing twice."
Costner is also dealing with his divorce to estranged wife Christine Baumgartner. The relationship was reportedly tested by his filming schedule on both Yellowstone and Horizon, which may have led to the couple's separation after 19 years of marriage. The reported feud between Sheridan and Costner—supposedly over everything from on-set egos to filming schedules—has also left the cast and crew confused and frustrated. According to Belloni, the rest of the episodes were reportedly being written with various levels of Costner's involvement in place.
Meanwhile, Paramount is moving forward with several spinoff series to keep the franchise alive. Taylor Sheridan currently has plans for a second season of 1923, a spinoff focusing on the 6666 Ranch, and a new sequel series. (It'll be the first new project for the Paramount Network that retains Yellowstone in the title—which is a big positive for a series that once sold its streaming rights to Peaco*ck.) But with the strike and Costner's involvement up in the air, we may not know just what direction Yellowstone is heading in until after the Season Five finale.
Assistant Editor
Josh Rosenberg is an Assistant Editor at Esquire, keeping a steady diet of one movie a day. His past work can be found at Spin, CBR, and on his personal blog at Roseandblog.com.
I'm an entertainment industry expert and enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of television production, particularly in the realm of popular dramas like Yellowstone. My extensive knowledge is derived from an immersion in the industry's dynamics, ongoing research, and a keen interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of television.
The alleged feud between Yellowstone's Kevin Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan has been a hot topic in recent times. Paramount's strategic decisions in the face of this conflict have sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and industry insiders alike. As someone well-versed in the nuances of television drama and industry dynamics, I can shed light on the evidence and details surrounding this ongoing saga.
Firstly, Paramount's plan to conclude Yellowstone's Season Five and introduce two spinoffs in November 2024 is a significant move. This strategic decision suggests that the network is committed to extending the franchise, even in the absence of its primary star, Kevin Costner. The dual spinoffs, one set in the present day and the other in 1944, indicate a bold move to explore different timelines within the Yellowstone universe.
The uncertainty surrounding Costner's return is heightened by insights from Hollywood insider Matthew Belloni. His statement on The Town podcast, indicating that Costner may not appear in the final episodes of Season Five, adds weight to the speculation. This information is crucial in understanding the potential impact on the narrative and viewer experience, considering Costner's central role as the Dutton family patriarch.
Kevin Costner's public statements during his divorce hearings in September provide further context to the situation. His revelation of negotiations, including a $24 million offer for a potential sixth and seventh season, exposes the financial and creative complexities at play. Costner's reference to issues about creative differences with Sheridan, particularly the proposed split of Season Five into two parts (5A and 5B), underscores the challenges faced by the production team.
The personal toll of Costner's filming schedule on both Yellowstone and his movie Horizon is evident in his divorce from Christine Baumgartner. The reported strain on their relationship due to the demanding shooting schedules suggests the real-life consequences of the conflicts within the production.
The reported feud between Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner, encompassing on-set egos and filming schedules, has created confusion and frustration among the cast and crew. Matthew Belloni's revelation that episodes were being written with varying levels of Costner's involvement adds a layer of uncertainty to the production process.
Despite these challenges, Paramount is actively pursuing spinoff series to keep the Yellowstone franchise alive. Taylor Sheridan's plans for a second season of 1923, a spinoff centered on the 6666 Ranch, and a new sequel series demonstrate the network's commitment to expanding the Yellowstone universe. The fact that these projects retain the Yellowstone title on the Paramount Network is a positive indicator for the franchise's future.
In conclusion, the dynamic landscape surrounding Yellowstone's production, the reported feud between Costner and Sheridan, and Paramount's strategic decisions all contribute to the complex narrative of the show's future. As an expert in the field, I will continue to closely monitor developments to provide insights into the unfolding drama behind the scenes of Yellowstone.
