Kevin Costner is pictured as John Dutton on ‘Yellowstone’.Photo:Paramount
Paramount
The drama surroundingKevin Costner’s exit fromYellowstoneis still ongoing.
According toPuck News, Costner’s contract included a “moral death” clause. This provision, while unusual, indicated that Costner had a say in how his characterJohn Duttoncould be killed off the show.
The report claimed that Costner, 68, had a long list of demands that included increased salary, reduced shooting schedule and the right to weigh in on creatorTaylor Sheridan’s scripts. Additionally, the outlet claimed that Costner’s reps were “begging” for Sheridan, 53, and Paramount to have him return for season 5B as well as possibly seasons 6 and 7.
Representatives for Paramount did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Costner has starred as John Dutton on the Paramount Network’s modern-day Western drama since 2018. His efforts on the series allowed him to earn aScreen Actors Guild Awardnomination andwin a 2023 Golden Globe Award.
Presley Ann/Getty
Reportsof Costner’srumored exitfirst surfaced in May, with speculation thatMatthew McConaugheywas going to replace him. But Paramount Network later confirmed thatYellowstonewould be endingafter the second half of its fifth season, which was slated to debut in November but theWriters Guild strikehas sparkedproduction delays.
“The Dutton story continues, picking up whereYellowstoneleaves off in another epic tale,” added David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, which produces the series. “We are thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.”
The network later confirmed its plans tomove forward with a spinoff starring McConaughey, 53.
Costner — who is in the midst of a messydivorcefrom estranged wifeChristine Baumgartner— sought to film fewer days onYellowstoneto star in his next Western epicHorizon. But according toThe Hollywood Reporter,there are still talks to bring him back to shoot scenes thatbring John’s storyline to a close.
Kevin Costner attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons in February 2023.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Sheridan toldTHRhe was"disappointed"in Costner’s decision to exit the show.
“It truncates the closure of his character,” he said in June. “It doesn’t alter it, but it truncates it.”
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Yellowstoneis available to stream on Paramount+ and Peacock, with a weekly re-airing from the series debut beginning Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
source: people.com
