There's drama on the Dutton Ranch and it could impact the future of Paramount's hit drama series Yellowstone. According to a report from Deadline, scheduling conflicts with series star Kevin Costner could result in his departure from the show, effectively ending the show in its current form.
Kevin Costner, who stars as John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family and the owner of Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, is at odds with the network over shooting schedules. Costner had originally limited himself to 65 days of shooting on Yellowstone, but only wanted to shoot for 50 days for the first part of the current season. For the second batch of episodes of the fifth season, the actor only wanted to spend a week shooting.
Costner is likely looking to cut back his shooting schedule so he can focus on his upcoming multi-part epic Horizon, which he is both directing and starring in. However, the scheduling disagreement is reportedly resulting in frustration for series creator Taylor Sheridan and causing low morale among Costner's Yellowstone co-stars, which includes Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Gil Birmingham.
Apparently, Paramount Network has declined Costner's proposed shooting schedule and appears to be moving on from Yellowstone in its current form. It won't be the end of the franchise, however, as Sheridan, Paramount Global and Paramount Network are plotting a potential future expansion of the Dutton saga -- and there's a big-named star attached: Matthew McConaughey.
A Paramount Network spokesperson wouldn't confirm the plans, but did offer Deadline the following statement:
“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. 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."
Yellowstone's success has already sparked multiple spin-offs, including prequel series 1883 and 1923. Both series follow earlier generations of Duttons, expanding on the family's history in Montana. Following the success of these spin-offs along with high expectations for Sheridan's other upcoming shows, the studio isn't necessarily as dependent on Yellowstone as it once was.
With no confirmation of these plans to move on from Yellowstone, it's unclear what the McConaughey-led franchise would entail. We don't know if it will be set on the Dutton ranch in Montana or take place somewhere else. However, several of Yellowstone's other stars could join him in the new series.
The second half of Yellowstone Season 5, which very well could mark the end of the series starring Kevin Costner, is set to return this summer.