“Kevin Costner’s Not the Only One: Another Yellowstone Actor Clashed with Taylor Sheridan Legally”

Yellowstone Controversy: Cole Hauser Faced Legal Action from Taylor Sheridan’s Team

The Yellowstone universe hasn’t been without its fair share of off-screen drama, and while much of the attention has been on the conflict between Kevin Costner and creator Taylor Sheridan, another key actor also found himself in a legal dispute with Sheridan’s team.

Cole Hauser, who plays the fan-favorite Rip Wheeler on the hit Western series, was involved in a legal battle after launching his own coffee brand. In 2023, Hauser introduced Free Rein Coffee Company, a Texas-based brand rooted in the cowboy lifestyle. However, shortly after its debut, Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch filed a lawsuit against Hauser’s company, claiming that its branding and logo were too similar to Bosque Ranch Craft Coffee, a competing product owned by Sheridan.

Unlike the drawn-out conflict with Costner, this dispute was resolved relatively quickly. By December 2023, the lawsuit was dropped, and it’s believed that Hauser and Sheridan reached a private agreement—likely due to their ongoing professional relationship on Yellowstone.

Kevin Costner Still Open to Returning for Yellowstone’s Final Episodes

While Hauser’s issue was settled without much fanfare, the situation with Kevin Costner has been far more public and contentious. Disagreements over scheduling led to a breakdown in talks between Costner and Sheridan, ultimately contributing to the announcement that Yellowstone would end with its fifth season.

Still, there’s hope for a resolution. In a recent interview, Costner expressed openness about returning to wrap up his character’s story, saying:

“Maybe it will. Maybe this will circle back to me. If it does and I feel really comfortable with [it], I’d love to do it.”

This leaves the door open for Costner’s potential return as John Dutton. And considering Sheridan’s apparent willingness to resolve disputes—as seen in the situation with Hauser—it’s possible that both parties could find common ground before the final episodes air.