Is Kevin Coster putting the fate of "Yellowstone" at risk because of extreme demands?
"An absolute lie," Marty Singer, attorney for the actor told Puck on Tuesday, responding to reports that the actor had demanded a much shorter work schedule for filming his hit Western series. For the second half of the fifth season of the Paramount Network juggernaut – which has spawned spinoffs and prequels such as "1923" – news circulated that Costner was only willing to work for one week of filming, leading to tensions with the network. Singer said to Puck, "It's ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn't be believed for one second."
Earlier in February, Deadline broke a story that Costner could potentially leave "Yellowstone" over schedule disagreements, and the popular show as it exists now might end. In a statement at the time, acknowledging "no news," Paramount said, "Kevin Costner is a big part of 'Yellowstone' and we hope that's the case for a long time to come." But the statement went on to say, "Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built." CNN reported that Sheridan was "working with Paramount to potentially wrap up the series in its current form and launch a franchise that would continue the Dutton family's story and possibly star Matthew McConaughey."
Puck's Matthew Belloni writes, "There's no guarantee that whatever replaces ['Yellowstone'] — even if it stars Matthew McConaughey, even if it features several current cast members — will deliver that same audience or serve as the same promo platform. Without its foundation, the House of Sheridan could even begin to crumble." But Belloni also acknowledges, "'Yellowstone' as a franchise has outgrown its star."
The actor who plays the adopted son of that star, Wes Bentley as Montana State Attorney General Jamie Dutton, said he wouldn't be shocked if the series ends. For him, it comes down to the characters' mortality and the particular hold that Costner's character has on Jamie. According to ET, Bentley said at the SCAD TVFest, "It's always a possibility in TV, right? We're always ready to die."
But another "Yellowstone" actor, Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler, told ET on the red carpet at the Golden Globes, to expect at least two more seasons of "Yellowstone," Seasons 6 and 7. Hauser did not reveal any details about the seasons, including whether they will star Costner.
The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Season 5 was supposed to finish shooting in its entirety in 2022, but was delayed for various reasons — depending on whom you ask." Puck attributed delays to Costner becoming ill with COVID after a promotional trip. Other reports blame Sheridan, who, according to the Los Angeles Times, "failed to deliver scripts on time and constantly moved the schedule around." He's certainly been spreading himself thin. Besides the three "Yellowstone" series currently in play, he's also working on "Mayor of Kingstown" and "Tulsa King."
Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.
Costner's attorney Singer stressed his client's commitment to "Yellowstone," saying, "As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success."
Shares