Kevin Costner not returning to 'Yellowstone' after Season 5
The rumors may just be true: Kevin Costner won’t be returning to “Yellowstone,” according to a new report.
Sources close to the production of the show told Entertainment Tonight that Costner, 68, won’t return after Season 5.
The outlet also reported that there is still no update on when the cast and crew will finish filming the remainder of Season 5’s episodes and return to Montana, where the series is filmed — leading to confusion and frustration with actors on the show, which also stars Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille and Gil Birmingham.
The Post has reached out to Costner’s reps for comment.
Reports of Costner’s exit come amid alleged behind-the-scenes drama between the actor and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan, 52.
Deadline reported in February that Costner had disagreements over shooting schedules, allotting himself 65 days to shoot the first part of the series’ current fifth season — but only wanted to shoot for 50 days.
When it came time to shoot the second part of the season, Costner reportedly only wanted to spend one single week filming, causing tensions with the cast and crew.
However, a Paramount spokesperson shut down the rumors and told The Post, “We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of ‘Yellowstone,’ and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come.”
Kevin Costner in Season 5, Episode 1 of “Yellowstone.” ©Paramount Network / Courtesy Everett Collection
In April, co-star Dawn Olivieri, 42, hinted at Costner’s exit in an interview with the Daily Mail, saying, “Sometimes we have to own the fact that nothing is forever, and impermanence is the single thing we can count on, and that life is like that.”
Meanwhile, a production source told The Post last month, “It’s the same as with any showrunner and big star — there’s respect, but there’s friction.”
Speculation grew when Sheridan, Costner and other “Yellowstone” stars were notably absent from a PaleyFest panel in Hollywood, though they were set to appear at the April press junket.
Reports of Costner’s exit come amid alleged behind-the-scenes drama between the actor and series co-creator Taylor Sheridan (left). Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Network
Kelly Reilly (from left), Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Costner, Sheridan, Kelsey Asbille and Dave Annable attend the “Yellowstone” premiere at Paramount Pictures on June 11, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Network
Keith Cox, president of development and production at Paramount Network, was in attendance and said that the network is “very confident [Costner]’s going to continue with our show.”
News of Costner’s alleged exit comes just one day after his wife, handbag designer Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage.
“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” a representative for Costner confirmed to The Post. “We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”
Costner plays powerful Montana patriarch John Dutton in “Yellowstone” and won a Golden Globe for his role. ©Paramount Network / Courtesy Everett Collection
“Yellowstone” now has several spinoffs, including “1883” starring Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; “1923” with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren; the upcoming “6666”; and another yet-to-be-titled spinoff starring Matthew McConaughey.
Costner plays powerful Montana patriarch John Dutton on the show and won a Golden Globe for his role.
Source: New York Post
