8 Compelling Reasons Why Bass Reeves Stands Strong Without Being a Yellowstone Spinoff

Article Overview

Lawmen: Bass Reeves is a standalone series that is better off separate from the Yellowstone universe, especially given Kevin Costner's abrupt departure.

The series serves as a passion project for David Oyelowo, who has dedicated 8 years of his efforts to bring the authentic tale of Bass Reeves to the silver screen. Lawmen: Bass Reeves emphasizes historical precision and aims to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and lasting impact of this iconic lawman, diverging from fictionalizing his story to align with the Yellowstone franchise.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the latest series created by Taylor Sheridan of Yellowstone fame, is better off existing independently from the popular Yellowstone universe. The highly acclaimed modern Western series, Yellowstone, will soon come to a close after six additional episodes, with the much-anticipated premiere of Yellowstone season 5 in 2024. However, there have been significant changes and developments in the future of the Yellowstone franchise, prompted by the unexpected departure of star actor Kevin Costner after season 5. This ultimately led Sheridan to make the decision to end the series.

8. Lawmen: Bass Reeves Is A David Oyelowo Passion Project

Oyelowo Has Tried To Tell The Bass Reeves Story For 8 Years

As much weight as Taylor Sheridan holds in the world of contemporary Western television series, it can be argued that David Oyelowo was even more dedicated to bringing the true story of the legendary lawman Bass Reeves to light. Oyelowo, known for his roles in the popular Apple sci-fi series Silo and his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King in the Oscar-nominated film Selma (2014), reportedly spent eight years striving to depict Reeves' character onscreen before Paramount finally helped turn his passion project into a reality. Inspired by Oyelowo's unwavering determination to tell the story of Bass Reeves, Sheridan deemed him the ideal choice to guide the series creatively (via Vanity Fair).

7. Lawmen: Bass Reeves Is Rooted In Historical Accuracy

Yellowstone Is Not Based On Any Real-Life People Or Stories

To truly reveal the story of Bass Reeves, it is crucial to pay homage to the historical records of this celebrated lawman. Renowned for apprehending over 3,000 criminals without ever sustaining a single injury throughout his impressive 30+ year career, Reeves engaged in intense confrontations and perilous encounters with dangerous fugitives, miraculously emerging unscathed each time. This extraordinary legend might seem almost too remarkable to be true, perhaps the creation of fiction. Furthermore, it is imperative that Lawmen: Bass Reeves maintains historical accuracy, ensuring that the modern series captivates and honors simultaneously.

6. Bass Reeves Deserves To Be The Only Star Of The Series

The Real-Life Lawman Was A Remarkable & Accomplished Person

In the same regard, Bass Reeves, the real-life lawman, possesses such remarkable qualities both as an individual and as a guardian of the law that he rightfully deserves to be the sole protagonist in the series that bears his name. Incorporating the entire Dutton family lore into Lawmen: Bass Reeves would unjustly divert the spotlight away from this iconic figure, ultimately detracting from his enduring legacy. Episode 1 of Lawmen: Bass Reeves vividly portrays the true account of Bass's compelling journey; from being coerced into fighting for the Confederate Army during the Civil War, to his valiant escape from slavery by overpowering his owner, Colonel George R. Reeves, and subsequently finding refuge in Indigenous Territory. This represents just a fraction of the enthralling narrative that encompasses Bass Reeves, further solidifying his rightful place as the central figure throughout.

5. Bass Reeves' Legend Doesn't Need To Be Fictionalized

Bass Reeves' True Life Is Already Very Interesting

The Bass Reeves legend is full of intriguing angles and anecdotes, making it unnecessary to fictionalize his true story within the context of the Dutton family. Instead, Lawmen: Bass Reeves focuses on a specific period in Reeves' life, spanning from 1862 to 1877. Although the arrest and sentencing of Bennie, Reeves' son and a murder suspect, took place in 1903, this particular event will likely not be portrayed in the new series. Nevertheless, it serves as a prime example of the abundant material available from Bass Reeves' life, highlighting the series' reliance on non-fiction storytelling.

4. McConaughey's Yellowstone Spinoff Is More Than Enough

Another Prequel Spinoff Won't Add Much To Yellowstone Universe

Despite Kevin Costner's sudden departure, Matthew McConaughey is expected to continue the Yellowstone franchise, giving fans something to look forward to. Just like the successful prequel series 1883 and 1923, which depicted the origins of the Dutton family dynasty in the Old West, McConaughey's spinoff series will likely be entirely fictionalized. However, there were no loose ends left in 1883 or 1923 that Bass Reeves' legend could have fulfilled within the Yellowstone universe.

3. Lawmen Is Expected To Be A Standalone Anthology Series

Lawmen's Chronology Could Jump Around To Various Eras

Although initially believed to be associated with 1883, later confirmation proved otherwise. Lawmen: Bass Reeves will now serve as an independent anthology series, dedicated to showcasing various real-life American lawmen across different periods in history. By existing outside the Yellowstone universe, Lawmen: Bass Reeves can maintain its unique storyline and potential for future episodes. Seasonal installments of this gripping series may also delve into the lives of notable figures such as Pat Garrett, Wyatt Earp, and Wild Bill Hicock.

2. The Original "1883" Title Would Have Limited Bass Reeves Story

Reeves' Law Enforcement Career Spanned Over 30 Years

Originally titled 1883: A Bass Reeves Story, Lawmen: Bass Reeves potentially aimed to capitalize on the popularity of the Yellowstone universe. The intention might have been to attract viewers with the allure of the 1883 and Yellowstone names, while exploring a show centered around Bass Reeves that may not have actually involved the Dutton family. Another possibility could have been the integration of a fictionalized version of Bass Reeves into the existing storyline of 1883, which had already been depicted. However, the concept of an eight-episode series focusing on just one year of Bass Reeves' extensive career seems inherently limiting.

1. A Bass Reeves-Dutton Family Crossover Would Retcon 1883's Timeline

Bass & The 1883 Cast Would Not Have Feasibly Met

For an 1883-Bass Reeves prequel spinoff series to succeed, the historical accuracy of Bass Reeves' legend would need to be altered or the original story of 1883 would have to be completely reworked. Bass Reeves primarily resided and worked in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and later Texas, but he did not arrive in Texas until 1893. In the series, the Dutton family travels across various parts of the United States, starting from Fort Worth, Texas, and venturing into Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, with none of these locations being places where Bass Reeves had ever been.

The fictionalized version of Bass Reeves could potentially meet the Duttons while traveling through Doan's Crossing, Indigenous Territory, in episode 6 "Boring the Devil" of the 1883 series. However, it would have been a creative stretch and not enough to create a whole series like the original 1883: A Bass Reeves Story. That's why it's best for Lawmen: Bass Reeves to be completely separate from the ever-changing Yellowstone universe.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the upcoming series Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The show promises to be an exciting and historically accurate portrayal of the life of Bass Reeves, a real-life lawman who apprehended over 3,000 criminals without ever sustaining a single injury. I appreciate that the show is being developed as a standalone series, rather than a spinoff of Yellowstone. This will allow the show to focus on Reeves' story without being overshadowed by the Dutton family drama.

I am also impressed by the dedication of David Oyelowo, who spent eight years working to bring Reeves' story to the screen. His passion for the project is evident in the quality of the writing and the performances. I believe that Lawmen: Bass Reeves has the potential to be a breakout hit, and I look forward to seeing more of it in the future.