Kevin Costner is reportedly no longer part of the remaining episodes of Season 5 of the Paramount series, Yellowstone. The Western icon has had issues with Yellowstone creators for some time now, and scheduling conflicts have exacerbated the situation. However, Costner had previously praised Yellowstone for getting many things right, that most Western films or series get wrong. In fact, the Academy Award winner hated most of the Western dramas in the industry.
Costner shared that most Western dramas followed a similar plot of revenge and bloodshed. There were only a few exceptions that explored the landscape and characters of the American West, and he considered them his favorites.
Kevin Costner Hated Most Western Dramas In Hollywood
Kevin Costner is often hailed as Hollywood’s next Western icon after Clint Eastwood. Costner won two Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture for his Western flick, Dances with Wolves. Despite his success in the genre, Costner revealed that he was only a fan of around five to ten Western movies in Hollywood. The Man of Steel actor explained these preferences when he appeared on Good Morning America to promote Yellowstone Season 2.
Costner expressed his dissatisfaction with the representation of the West in many films. He had zero tolerance for the “bad language” of such films, while also mentioning the revenge-killing trope in these movies. The Hidden Figures actor focused on telling stories about the history and landscape of the American West, with significant importance to the characters. Costner shared with Good Morning America:
“I’m not a fan of most Westerns. I’m only a fan of about five or ten. I won’t tolerate bad language of the Western on TV or film. I hate it. I don’t like it when it’s done, I don’t. I think there’s such a great opportunity because the architecture of a Western should be to frighten you. Too often movies start with 50 people dead and that gives that person a right to a revenge killing.”
However, in Yellowstone, creator Taylor Sheridan focused on character-based storytelling. The series explored the life of John Dutton III, the owner of Montana’s Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, who’s still locked in the past and confronts his modern problems in his Western style. Interestingly, Sheridan and Costner clashed over the creative control for the series.
Kevin Costner Reportedly Out Of Yellowstone
Recent information from industry insider Matthew Belloni suggests that the Yellowstone lead star will not be returning for the series finale. The production, which was on hold due to SAG-AFTRA strikes, will resume production in early 2024. The Waterworld actor and Sheridan reportedly had disagreements after Costner wanted more say in script decisions.
Costner also clashed with the production team over salary negotiations. The Bodyguard actor, one of the executive producers of Yellowstone, indicated that he might take them to court regarding this matter. Costner has been working on his passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, which will be released as a two-part movie. This project also became a contentious issue, after scheduling conflicts forced creators to reduce John Dutton’s screen time in Season 5 Part 1.
Kevin Costner’s central character is widely regarded as the life and blood of the series, and fans await an official confirmation about his absence. Yellowstone is now available for streaming on Paramount+.
