In February, it was reported that “Yellowstone” may be coming to a premature end.
The biggest cliffhanger in the latest season of Paramount Network’s wildly popular drama “Yellowstone” wasn’t delivered on screen but behind the camera, as viewers learned via a Deadline report a month after the midseason finale aired that the Dutton saga might be coming to a premature end.
The outlet reported that cocreator and showrunner Sheridan, Paramount Global, and Paramount Network were looking to end the neo-Western drama after its current fifth season because of disagreements with Kevin Costner over shooting schedules.
The actor, who has been portraying protagonist John Dutton in the ratings juggernaut since 2018, reportedly wanted to cut back his number of days filming on location for the remaining episodes of season five.
According to the report, the “Field of Dreams” star limited himself to being on set for just 50 days across the eight episodes which have already aired, and wanted to only spend a week filming the remaining six installments.
It added that the scheduling conflicts had become a source of frustration for Sheridan and caused morale problems for the other stars of the show, which include Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Gil Birmingham.
The same report stated that Matthew McConaughey was in talks to lead a new as-yet-untitled spinoff that will continue the franchise.
Alongside the news that “Yellowstone” might be ending, Deadline also reported that the team behind the series was developing a franchise extension starring Matthew McConaughey after rejecting Costner’s latest attempt at a compromise over his shooting schedule.
It was reported at the time that “The True Detective” actor was still in the process of negotiations.
A Paramount spokesperson denied the claims but said that McConaughey is a “phenomenal talent” with whom they’d love to partner.
“We have no news to report,” a Paramount Network spokesperson responded when we reached out for comment in February.
“Kevin Costner is a big part of ‘Yellowstone,’ and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come.”
Still, the statement didn’t exactly put to bed the rumors, going on to add: “Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”
Days later, Jamie Dutton actor Wes Bentley assured fans that it was a “bit of drama over nothing.”
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at SCAD TVFest in February, just days after the report, Bentley said that fans have nothing to worry about.
“The news that’s come out recently about the show is, you know, it’s above my pay grade. Different people making decisions,” the “American Horror Story” actor said.
“I know that they’re still working on… working things out with everyone, to make sure we shoot. And I’m confident we will. We always have before. I think it’s probably a bit of drama over nothing.”
When Costner gave his Golden Globes acceptance speech for best actor in a TV drama, he didn’t acknowledge the rumors, nor thank his “Yellowstone” team.
After being forced to skip the January ceremony due to severe flooding near his home in Santa Barbara, on February 14 — just a week after the explosive rumors came to light — Costner posted a video of himself unboxing the trophy from his bed and shared a few words of gratitude.
He said “it feels really good” to finally receive recognition for his role in the drama, but didn’t mention “Yellowstone” by name nor give thanks to cocreator Sheridan or any of the other cast members in his list of thank yous.
Costner’s lawyer said that claims that his client only wanted to spend a week filming the rest of season five were “an absolute lie.”
Speaking to Puck in February, the actor’s litigator, Marty Singer, said the reports about his client were “ridiculous” but didn’t speak to what Costner’s future on the show looks like.
“The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season five of ‘Yellowstone’ is an absolute lie,” he said.
“It’s ridiculous — and anyone suggesting it shouldn’t be believed for one second,” he continued. “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.”
In March, Paramount confirmed that McConaughey’s “Yellowstone” spinoff was officially moving forward regardless of Costner’s future.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Media Networks president Chris McCarthy confirmed that the rumored McConaughey-led spinoff of the popular series was moving forward, regardless of whether Costner returns to the original or not.
The outlet reported that it was one of more than 10 projects that Sheridan has lined up for the network.
As for Costner’s future, he didn’t have any updates to share but did tell the publication that the flagship series “wouldn’t be what it is today without Kevin and we hope that that stays for a long time to come.”
In April, the show’s main cast was expected to attend PaleyFest in Los Angeles but didn’t show up.
This year, “Yellowstone” made its PaleyFest debut. Ahead of the show’s panel on Saturday, April 1, attendees were promised a special screening followed by a conversation and Q&A with the series’ main cast.
The original list of those who were supposed to be there included Costner, Sheridan, and executive producer David Glasser, as well as cast members Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham, and Jacki Weaver.
However, in a last-minute shakeup that felt like an April Fools’ Day prank, the entire line-up changed with none of the original talent present.
Instead, Josh Lucas, Dawn Olivieri, Wendy Moniz, and Mo Brings Plenty sat on the panel with Paramount Network development president Keith Cox.
Paramount Network’s president of development and production, Keith Cox, confirmed at PaleyFest that Costner isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Cox addressed the rumors about Costner as the panel, attended by Insider, kicked off.
“What I can say is our star, the face of our show, and executive producer, are very confident he is going to continue with our show,” said Cox.
When asked when we can expect production on the season to resume, Cox said an announcement will come “soon.”
He described the season’s remaining episodes as “phenomenal. I’m confident.”
Cast members confirmed that filming for the remainder of season five has yet to begin, despite the previous promise that it would air this summer.
Speaking to Yahoo on the red carpet ahead of the panel, the cast in attendance confirmed that the second half of season five — which viewers were promised would air “this summer” — has not yet started filming, nor they have not been given a start date or seen scripts.
“I have no news to report. I just know that Taylor’s writing, and we know he’s a prolific writer, and I’m excited to see it when it comes,” Moniz, who plays Lynelle Perry, said.
Plenty also confirmed that production had yet to begin, but said: “There’s some dates floating around.”
In May, a new report stated that Costner would not be returning to “Yellowstone” after season five.
Sources close to production believe that Costner will exit the show following its fifth season, according to Entertainment Tonight.
The unnamed source told the outlet that there was still no news about when the cast and crew would be returning to set to finish the season. They did not speak to whether the show plans to continue without the actor after season five.
The news came just a day after it was announced that Costner was also facing some personal problems after his wife of 18 years filed for divorce.
Costner’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding his future.