Kevin Costner Will Return To ‘Yellowstone’ After All
It was reported earlier this year that Kevin Costner, the show’s leading man, may be leaving the franchise. As Deadline reports, Costner is directing and starring in his western epic Horizon, and supposedly didn’t have time to film the extensive Yellowstone scenes. Since Costner plays the family patriarch, John Dutton, his departure would leave a huge hole in the series. However, it is not yet clear whether this will actually happen. Speaking at a Yellowstone panel this past weekend, Keith Cox, president of development and production for Paramount Network, said at a Yellowstone panel last weekend that the network is “very confident that he will continue with our show.” This statement is bold considering all of the reports of unrest we’ve heard from both sides.
The comment came about the Costner-sized elephant in the room at PaleyFest TV Festival in Los Angeles. Yellowstone fans checked out Season 5, Episode 7 — the second-to-last episode aired before the current hiatus — and expected IRL appearances from creator Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner (John Dutton), Kelly Reilly (Beth), Cole Hauser (Rip), Luke Grimes (Case), Kelsey Aspel (Monica), Wes Bentley (Jamie), Jill Birmingham (Chief Rainwater) and Jackie Weaver (Caroline Warner). None of them showed up. Instead, fans have seen Cox, Mo bring on Plenty (Mo), Don Oliveri (Sarah Atwood), Josh Lucas (John Dutton the Younger in flashbacks) and Wendy Muniz (Sen. Lynell Perry). Deadline reported audible gasps from the audience. Cox quickly promised that the upcoming episodes—which have yet to be filmed, “will be exclusive”. “I am confident,” he added.
Meanwhile, Matthew McConaughey is reportedly in talks to direct a potential franchise expansion to continue Dutton’s story, but nothing is known about its current plot or characters. That’s probably because the second half of season five, which returns earlier this summer, still has one big cliffhanger to tackle. The Dutton family has been trying to kill each other, which may give creator Taylor Sheridan the solution he needs — if not the one he originally envisioned. So instead of discussing the end of season five, let’s now find out what could happen in the potential series finale. So folks, how could Yellowstone end? We are breaking down our favorite theories below.
Who Could Die When Season Five Returns?
Before Deadline’s bombshell report, a Reddit theory suggested by user SuperPowMom made a lot of sense. It was thought that Jamie’s hitman might have accidentally mistaken Summer Higgins for Beth – which seemed like a good way to end the season. This event might still happen, but it would be more exciting if Yellowstone lasted at least five more seasons instead of ending abruptly now. If this is the end, then no one is safe.
Wes Bentley, who plays Jamie Dutton, sounds like he might be nearing the end of his time on the show. He told The New York Times last month that “Jamie’s sadness permeates my life.” Bentley also revealed that his wife even remarks to him that “‘Jamie’s coming home, and we don’t want him here.’” If the Dutton family retaliates, Bentley might finally see Jamie face some consequences.
