Robert Redford Was Almost Cast as John Dutton in Yellowstone
Legendary Actor Robert Redford Dies at 89 — And Nearly Starred in Yellowstone
Iconic actor and Hollywood legend Robert Redford passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the age of 89. Known for his unforgettable performances in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All The President’s Men, The Great Gatsby, and Jeremiah Johnson, Redford’s legacy spans genres—but his name was especially synonymous with the American Western.
So it might come as a surprise to some that before Kevin Costner took the reins as John Dutton in Yellowstone, Redford was nearly cast in the leading role.
Yes, really.
Before the series found its home on the Paramount Network, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan initially pitched the show to HBO. The network was interested—but with one major condition: Redford had to play the lead.
“They said, ‘If you can get us Robert Redford, we’ll greenlight the pilot,’” Sheridan revealed in an interview.
Amazingly, he delivered. Redford had agreed to come out of retirement to portray John Dutton, a rugged Montana rancher fighting to preserve his family’s legacy. But just when things seemed to be falling into place, HBO abruptly changed course.
Sheridan recalled a pivotal meeting with HBO executives at a high-end restaurant in West L.A. where Yellowstone co-creator John Linson pressed them on their hesitation. “The VP goes, ‘Look, it just feels so Middle America. We’re HBO—we’re avant-garde, we’re trendsetters. This feels like a step backward. And frankly, I don’t think anyone should be living out there [in rural Montana]. It should be a park or something.’”
Despite having secured Redford—a major coup—HBO walked away. And just like that, Sheridan was back to square one.
The rest, of course, is history. Yellowstone found a new home, Kevin Costner took on the role of John Dutton, and the series went on to become a cultural phenomenon.
Still, it’s hard not to imagine what Yellowstone might have looked like with Robert Redford leading the cast. His passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on film—and on the Western genre in particular—will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace to a true cinematic legend.
