Chaos erupted Monday after fans of hit cowboy drama “Yellowstone” started discussing the likelihood of leading man Kevin Costner not returning for the final chapter of the franchise’s flagship show.
“Am I the only one upset that Kevin Costner is ready to cut ties with the Yellowstone series?” a Reddit user posted, to which more than a hundred loyal fans of the show replied with their thoughts. Drama started between Costner and his career-reviving show in the summer of 2022 when rumors swirled about his now-ex-wife demanding he quit the show to spend more time with family.
The 2023 Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes compounded the issue, forcing Sheridan to stop writing the final season and stopping Costner from having to make a firm decision on his return.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: Kevin Costner speaks onstage during the Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman on February 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: Kevin Costner attends Netflix’s 2024 Golden Globe After Party at Spago on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: (L-R) Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
“You’re probably not the only one, but realistically what is he supposed to do, wait on Sheridan to get his ducks in a row,” one user replied to the original prompt. “At some point the excuses run thin for [Taylor Sheridan]. We are closing in on 14 months since the last Yellowstone episode aired. (1/6/23 if you’re curious). I don’t blame Costner one bit.”
Shocking Theory About ‘Yellowstone’ Conclusion Erupts Online, But There’s A Huge Catch | @DailyCaller
Lol you fools. There’s no way Costner is going out like that! He can’t … legally.https://t.co/yFIzAdLKOT
— KAY SMYTHE (@KaySmythe) January 29, 2024
“No, I’m still hoping Kevin [Costner] will be in the last season. His character is too big to just disappear without leaving a canyon in the story,” wrote another, with whom I agree. (RELATED: Shocking Theory About ‘Yellowstone’ Conclusion Erupts Online, But There’s A Huge Catch)
There is no conclusion to “Yellowstone” without Costner. He allegedly has a “moral death” clause in his contract, which guarantees his character doesn’t die off in a crappy car accident or something like that. So, is there really any reason Costner has to piss off all of his fans, who will take it out on his latest project “Horizon” if he screws up the empire we’ve all be watching collapse around him (within the storyline and reality).
DYERSVILLE, IOWA – AUGUST 12: Michael Kopech #34 of the Chicago White Sox shakes hands with actor Kevin Costner prior to a game against the New York Yankees at the Field of Dreams on August 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
DYERSVILLE, IOWA – AUGUST 12: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred and actor Kevin Costner speak with the media prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees at the Field of Dreams on August 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“Kevin Costner makes the show. Without him, there’s no point. The kids and [Rip] have nothing to fight for,” one Reddit user added, which I think is the best way to describe the situation. (RELATED: ‘1883’ Creator Taylor Sheridan And Tim McGraw Team Up For New Project)
“The entire premise of the first few seasons of the show was what happens to the ranch after John Dutton dies. So let him die. They could have written him off long ago, before all the behind the scenes drama and the show would likely still be going,” another user added. And this is interesting.
If Costner comes back for just ten minutes of one episode, enough time for him to say goodbye and die, it could make the final season worth it.