The Untold Story of Yellowstone: The Battle of John Dutton Casting

The Rise of Kevin Costner as John Dutton

Yellowstone almost starred a different Western movie icon as John Dutton, and if this plan had come to pass, the show would have ended much sooner.

Kevin Costner, Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly as John Dutton, Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton in Yellowstone

While Kevin Costner has starred in everything from romantic dramas to horror movies, he's become closely associated with Westerns. His breakthrough role was in 1985's Silverado, and in later years he starred in and directed the acclaimed Dances with Wolves, played the titular lawman in Wyatt Earp and helmed the underrated Open Range.

Kevin Costner in Yellowstone.

Costner's upcoming movie series Horizon: An American Saga also promises to be a major event. Of course, in recent years Costner's biggest success has been Yellowstone, where he plays patriarch John Dutton. Yellowstone is very much a modern Western, with Costner signing on to the show being one of the reasons it became such a success.

Yellowstone Kevin Costner as John Dutton and Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater

Yellowstone and its many spinoffs are some of the biggest series on TV, but the original show is set to end with the upcoming second part of season 5. Costner is also leaving Yellowstone under tense circumstances.

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The Almost Casting of Robert Redford

In an alternate timeline, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid star Robert Redford almost played Yellowstone's John Dutton, however.

Robert Redford in Front of the Yellowstone Logo

Sheridan recalled in a 2023 THR interview that when the show was in development with HBO, he was told he'd need a big star for the project to get greenlit. They said, ‘We want Robert Redford. They said, ‘If you can get us Robert Redford, we’ll greenlight the pilot.’

Robert Redford as The Sundance Kid looking exhausted and defeated while seated at a campsite in 1969's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Taking them at their word, the writer/director went to meet Redford. To the shock of all involved, the Hollywood vet actually agreed to play Dutton too. While it has become almost customary for movie stars to dip their toes into television in the last decade or so, Redford agreeing to Yellowstone was a particularly big deal.

Robert Redford's Forrest Tucker leaning on a fence in The Old Man & The Gun

The Impact of Casting Choices

Armed with Redford's commitment, Sheridan returned to HBO for his expected greenlight. It wasn't forthcoming though, because after the initial shock of letting them know the movie icon said yes, they said 'We meant a Robert Redford type.’

Is Kevin Costner leaving Yellowstone?

Redford would have been great as Yellowstone's John Dutton, though his interpretation and energy would have been very different. The star is almost 20 years older than Costner, so he may have brought a more mellow edge to the part. It would have been fascinating to see what Redford brought to the part, but Costner was ultimately the best choice. He has more Western bonafides to his name and plays the role with both a warmth and a darker edge.

Kevin Costner holding a gun in Horizon: An American Saga.