- Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan discussed Kevin Costner’s exit from the show.
- Disputes over Costner’s shooting schedule led to his departure.
- Sheridan said Costner’s character’s conclusion will be truncated but not altered.
Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, has finally spoken about the much-talked-about end of the series and the surprising departure of leading actor Kevin Costner. In February, news of Costner’s exit emerged, suggesting disputes between him and the series over his shooting schedule. It was reported that Costner wanted to shoot the final season’s last part for just one week, a claim that the actor and his lawyer quickly denied.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan spoke about Costner’s departure from the series and hinted at the future of the show’s main character, ranch owner John Dutton. The Yellowstone creator revealed that his last conversation with Costner revolved around the actor’s desire to direct his passion project, a four-movie Western epic called Horizon. Costner is also co-writing, directing, and starring in the project. Sheridan explained that they adjusted the schedule to work around Costner’s preferred exit date, in light of his commitment to Horizon.
Despite the controversy, Sheridan said his view of Costner and his work on Yellowstone “hasn’t altered.” He added that the involvement of lawyers and representatives resulted in miscommunication and attempts to shift blame based on public reaction. Sheridan expressed hope for the success of Costner’s movie and acknowledged his dedication to the project.
Regarding the fate of Costner’s character, John Dutton, Sheridan shared his disappointment, stating that it “truncates the closure of his character” but does not alter it. He assured fans that Dutton’s ending will not be cheap or reminiscent of how Deputy Chief David Hale met his end in Sons of Anarchy. “I don’t do f–k-you car crashes,” Sheridan stated, adding that his storytelling does not consider whether the character’s fate inflates or insults someone’s ego.