“Kevin Costner Responds Firmly to Question About Luke Grimes’ Recent Comments: ‘We’re Done Talking'”
Kevin Costner had a brief response when asked about recent comments made by his former Yellowstone co-star Luke Grimes.
Costner, 69, made headlines in June when he announced his departure from the popular Western drama series, amid rumors of behind-the-scenes tension with Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan. His character, Dutton family patriarch John Dutton III, was killed off in the second part of the fifth and final season.
In a December interview with Esquire, Grimes, who plays John’s son Kayce Dutton, stated that Costner’s absence from the final season made it “the easiest season we’ve filmed.” He added, “To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone. Obviously, it didn’t make it super fun to be around. Not pointing any fingers, but it was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed.”
Just days after the Yellowstone series finale aired on December 15, Costner was approached by paparazzi in Aspen, Colorado, and asked if he had spoken to Grimes since his departure. Costner’s response was direct: “We’re done talking.”
When further pressed about his thoughts on Yellowstone following his exit, the Oscar-winning actor admitted that the series hadn’t crossed his mind. “I’m not thinking about [the Yellowstone finale]. I don’t think I’ve given it any thought. We’ll just let it go,” he said, noting that he hasn’t even seen the final season. In the ninth episode of season five, titled “Desire Is All You Need,” his character is found dead from a gunshot wound in what initially appears to be a suicide. However, it’s later revealed that John Dutton was actually murdered by his son Jamie (Wes Bentley), with the help of his manipulative girlfriend, lawyer Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri).
When asked for his thoughts on the character’s death, Costner revealed he had not watched the scene. “I didn’t see it. I heard it’s a suicide, so that doesn’t make me want to rush to go see it,” he explained. “I didn’t know it was actually airing last night. I didn’t realize yesterday was the thing.” He continued, “Sometimes I’m like just a passenger in my life. There’s a lot going on. And somebody said, ‘You know, it played last night?’ And I said, ‘Hmm, OK.’ So no, I found out about it this morning actually.”
Despite not watching the episode, Costner expressed respect for the Yellowstone writers. “They’re pretty smart people,” he said, adding that he hoped John Dutton’s supposed suicide might be a “red herring.” “Who knows? They’re very good. And they’ll figure that out,” he said.
