What’s the Goss About Cost(ner)?

As a longtime fan of Kevin Costner and his extraordinary acting prowess, I must say that this situation leaves me feeling a tad like a lonesome cowboy, lost in the vast expanse of the American West. It’s a shame to see such a talented duo, who once brought us the iconic Duttons, unable to communicate effectively due to the intricacies of the legal system and the whims of public opinion.

It’s been buzzing around that there’s a lot happening in the Western world, and it’s not only about the dead bodies found at the train station. Instead, we are discussing some backstage drama involving two prominent Western productions: the highly successful series Yellowstone by Taylor Sheridan, and Kevin Costner’s new film franchise called Horizon. The former is set to return this fall, but it will be without its main character, John Dutton, portrayed by Kevin Costner. Due to scheduling issues and reported turmoil (oh my!) associated with Horizon, Costner has decided to step away from the show. Interestingly, Yellowstone is a massive hit for Paramount, with its season-five premiere attracting 12.1 million viewers, according to Entertainment Weekly. On the other hand, Horizon represents a significant risk for Costner, as he serves as the writer, the actor, and the director, and has invested approximately $35 million of his own money into it. So, one might wonder if this genre (the Western world) can accommodate both of these productions.

Below, the fate of Yellowstone following Costner’s exit and the tragic tale that led up to it.

First of all — is the biggest hit on TV ending?

According to Paramount, the second half of the ongoing fifth season is set to air in November this year, wrapping up the series. But there’s a possibility that Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser might return for another installment, as reported by Puck on August 28.

Initially, in February 2023, there were rumors that Kevin Costner might depart from the series after its sixth season, with his schedule allowing for just a week of filming time during the final six episodes of season five (which had their first airing on January 2, 2023). However, these claims were refuted by Camp Costner. Marty Singer, Costner’s attorney, stated to Puck that the assertion that Kevin would only work for a week on the second half of season five of “Yellowstone” is completely false. He added that this claim was preposterous and should not be believed under any circumstances. It is well-known among those familiar with Kevin that he has always shown immense dedication to the show, consistently going beyond the call of duty to ensure its prosperity.

Okay, but is Costner leaving?

Indeed, it appears that John Carter (Costner) won’t be reprising his role in the Dutton family saga beyond season five of “Yellowstone.” During the PaleyFest panel, Keith Cox, the head of scripted content for MTV Entertainment Studios, hinted at Costner’s continued involvement with the show. However, it was later confirmed by Entertainment Tonight on May 3, 2023, that Costner would not be returning after season five. For now, fans can look forward to seeing him in season 5B, assuming schedules align. But when the spin-off series arrives, you won’t find John Carter among the Duttons.

In September, it was reported that before the strike, Costner expressed a desire to return to the show to finish off his character. He even met with Sheridan to discuss joining the second part of season 5, though most of the episodes had already been written without Costner’s John Dutton. However, these discussions did not lead to an agreement.

In an unexpected turn of events, almost a year after it was announced he would not be part of the show anymore, Kevin Costner expressed his interest in returning on April 11, 2024. When asked about this possibility during an interview with Entertainment Tonight while promoting Horizon, Costner said, “I initially thought I’d make seven seasons, but right now we’re at five. So how it all pans out remains to be seen – I hope it does. They have several shows in the works, so maybe this will come back to me. If it does and I feel good about it, I would be delighted to rejoin.”

Is this all about scheduling?

“He told GQ in May 2024 that we seldom kept the schedules we set and failed to complete tasks when promised. The Yellowstone crew suggested timelines that would interfere with Costner’s shooting schedule for Horizon, a proposition he couldn’t accommodate. It seems strange they offered a schedule they knew wouldn’t fit. ‘I think there was an assumption I wouldn’t be able to make it work,’ Costner explains. ‘But I didn’t let others’ beliefs sway me.'”

Instead of merely hinting at creative complications, he openly admitted that the scripts never materialized in an interview with GQ. As far as he’s aware, the project hasn’t been filmed yet… And at some point, they informed him that there was no ending or resolution. He even suggested allowing John Dutton’s character to perish during a week of free time they had set aside for filming such an event. Initially, he intended to film three more seasons, but the disagreements made that plan unworkable.

Drama? 👀

It seems that Costner requested a substantial set of concessions, such as a higher salary, fewer filming hours, and the power to approve or possibly reject all scripts for the entire season, according to Puck. This request didn’t sit well with Sheridan, who is the sole writer of Yellowstone, and discussions escalated from there, eventually leading to Paramount withdrawing as well. This isn’t entirely surprising, as Costner and Sheridan have a history of friction, Puck reports. Previously, Costner had negotiated short filming periods for seasons five A and B. However, he contracted COVID-19 and was unable to work, allegedly counting his sick days towards his filming window. This necessitated the Yellowstone cast and crew to reconvene for expensive shoots that were also frustrating to some of his co-stars.

In simpler terms, the news that Kevin Costner would leave “Yellowstone” following season five was announced just one day after it became public knowledge that his wife of 18 years, Christine, had filed for divorce. Costner’s representative explained to ET that unfortunate circumstances beyond his control have led him to be part of a divorce proceeding, saying “It is with great sadness…”

As I pen my latest film critique, I find myself reflecting on the intriguing developments surrounding Kevin Costner and the hit series “Yellowstone.” Contrary to initial expectations, it seems that a sixth season of this gripping drama might not materialize as planned.

What does Sheridan have to say about this?

In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter on June 21st, Taylor Sheridan expressed that his respect for Kevin Costner’s acting skills remains unchanged. He praised Costner’s portrayal of John Dutton as symbolic and impactful, and mentioned that he has never had any significant issues with Costner that they couldn’t resolve over the phone. However, Sheridan also acknowledged a minor disagreement, even if it didn’t stem from personal conversations. He explained that when lawyers become involved, communication can break down, leading people to say things that might not be accurate and shift blame based on public perception. Sheridan expressed hope that the upcoming movie is worth the effort and turns out to be good. This final statement seems reminiscent of Regina George’s sassy tone.

Meanwhile, Paramount is being secretive about their plans. In a statement to GQ, they acknowledged that Kevin played a significant role in Yellowstone’s success. However, they stated that they couldn’t find a suitable timeframe for collaboration with Kevin due to conflicting schedules involving other talent and production requirements. They expressed respect for Kevin’s decision to prioritize his new film series and wished him well.

How does Horizon fit in?

It’s never been more applicable! According to Costner, the filming for season five was supposed to wrap up by 2022, but Sheridan failed to provide the scripts on schedule due to his numerous other commitments. In contrast, Costner is eager to concentrate on his own upcoming series, “Horizon,” a Civil War-era drama in which he is both directing and acting. The initial installments of this series will be released this summer: “Chapter One” is scheduled for June 28, followed by “Chapter Two” (of four parts) on August 16. A trailer for the first “Horizon” film was unveiled on May 17, and it primarily offers a sense of grandeur rather than a clear plot as of yet. The movie also features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, and Giovanni Ribisi.

In the first chapter of the movie “Horizon,” there was a premiere at Cannes on May 19th. It received an extended ten-minute standing ovation, as reported. Responding to this lengthy applause, Costner jokingly commented, as reported by Variety, “I’m sorry it took you clapping for so long for me to realize I should speak.” Despite some viewers leaving during the three-hour-long film, many attendees returned, according to Variety.

Are there more spinoffs incoming?

Sheridan doesn’t seem to have a pause button, as evidenced by the fact that he and Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Viacom, are working on no less than ten projects together. This is according to an interview McCarthy gave to The Hollywood Reporter. Among these projects is the rumored extension of “Yellowstone,” which may or may not star McConaughey, despite the uncertainty surrounding Costner’s continued involvement in “Yellowstone.” Paramount confirmed in November 2023 that they have commissioned two spinoffs of “Yellowstone,” tentatively titled “1944” and “2024.” Whether or not McConaughey will appear in either remains to be seen. As the famous line goes, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

When is Yellowstone coming back?

The Duttons return to terrorize Montana November 10, 2024 for the second half of season five.

2024-08-30 22:54