Kevin Costner's Initial Plan for 'Yellowstone' Revealed

Kevin Costner Planned to Do Yellowstone for Only 3 Seasons

Paramount

Kevin Costner's involvement in the final episodes of Yellowstone remains uncertain, but fans are grateful for the seasons they were able to enjoy with him.

It turns out that Costner, who is 69 years old, had a different idea in mind for his role as John Dutton on the show. He disclosed on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast on June 3 that he originally intended to film only three seasons of Yellowstone, which first aired in 2018. However, as fans have seen, things didn't go as planned.

Costner shared that he ended up making five episodes. He mentioned his belief in the world of the show, acknowledging it as a soap opera where everyone should technically be in jail for the crimes committed. He admitted that logic is somewhat disregarded in such a setting.

He continued by praising cocreator and showrunner Taylor Sheridan's scripts, highlighting them as the primary reason for his decision to join the show initially.

"He has a great talent for writing and he did a fantastic job with the script. It was a lot of fun, and he portrayed my character and Kelly Reilly's character exceptionally well," the Oscar winner shared. "I had a great time working on it and I gave it my all."

Kevin Costner Planned to Do Yellowstone for Only 3 Seasons

Costner's recent remarks follow over a year of news stories about his rumored conflict with Sheridan, who is 54 years old. The trouble started in early 2023 when there were talks that Costner was causing a delay in filming the second part of Yellowstone season 5 due to his dissatisfaction with the shooting timetable. Costner eventually clarified that he was not the cause of the hold-up for the remaining episodes, which were initially planned for summer 2023 but will now be broadcast later this year.

In May 2023, Paramount Network announced that Yellowstone would conclude with season 5. However, fans can look forward to a sequel series set to premiere in 2024.

Last month, Kevin Costner addressed rumors about his involvement in the filming delays. He clarified to Deadline that his upcoming movie, Horizon: An American Saga, did not contribute to the production issues of Yellowstone. The show’s return was also impacted by the dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes that occurred last year.

Costner denied that Horizon affected his filming schedule for Yellowstone, calling the claim a lie. He also mentioned that there were no scripts for the second half of season 5, but if there were, he would have filmed them.

In November and December 2022, I dedicated 25 days to work on what they referred to as 5B. However, when the whole month of March 2023 came around, I found out that I didn't actually film for 5B as there was no script prepared, and eventually, things fell apart.

Even though I am currently not part of the show, I want to make it clear that I am willing to return to conclude my character's storyline as John Dutton.

He expressed his willingness to participate if he is satisfied with the script, despite feeling disappointed that others did not defend him and allowed false rumors to spread. He clarified that his decision to not join Horizon had nothing to do with being tired of working on Yellowstone or trying to compete with it. Instead, he emphasized that Horizon is a project he has been passionate about for a long time.

The Paramount Network confirmed on May 20 that production for the final episodes of Yellowstone has resumed. The network also reaffirmed that the series is set to make its return in November as previously announced.

Editor's P/S:

Kevin Costner's initial plan to film only three seasons of "Yellowstone" underscores his nuanced understanding of the show's soap opera nature. Costner's recognition of the characters' amoral actions and the suspension of logic within this setting reveals his commitment to delivering authentic performances. Despite the rumored conflicts with showrunner Taylor Sheridan, Costner's praise for Sheridan's writing highlights the strength of the scripts and their role in attracting him to the project.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Costner's involvement in the final episodes of "Yellowstone" has sparked speculation and anticipation among fans. Costner's willingness to return if satisfied with the script indicates his dedication to the character of John Dutton and the desire to provide a fulfilling conclusion for the series. The resumption of production and the anticipated November return date suggest that the remaining episodes will resolve the storyline and offer closure to the loyal fanbase.