The 69-year-old actor breaks his silence on the behind-the-scenes drama and contract dispute that led to his departure from the popular Western series.
- May 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - Kevin Costner, the 69-year-old star of "Yellowstone", has broken his silence on the drama surrounding his exit from the popular Western series. In an interview with Deadline, Costner refuted rumors that he was not committed to the show, asserting that he "made Yellowstone the first priority."
Allegations had circulated that Costner caused production delays due to a feud with show creator Taylor Sheridan. However, Costner maintains that the issues stemmed from unfinished scripts and communication breakdowns.
"There was no script," Costner said. "And then things imploded. You've been reading one version [of the show's drama] for a year and a half."
Costner claimed that he had a contract for three more seasons but that the show's producers decided to split Season 5 into two parts and potentially extend it to a sixth season. His own movie project, "Horizon", was scheduled to be filmed in between "Yellowstone" production gaps, but those gaps kept shifting.
"They just kept moving their gaps," Costner said. "It all happened because they shut down one whole season, didn't tell anybody, and I didn't work for 14 months."
Costner also criticized the show's producers for their silence amid rumors of his departure. "They were silent and that bothered me in the world of how you do things," he said. "Why don't you stick up for me? I went and sold this thing for you."
Despite the drama, Costner expressed openness to returning to "Yellowstone" in the future. "If they've got so many other things going on, maybe this circles back and it's a really cool two seasons," he said. "Or end it, if the writing's there and I'm happy with it."
Costner also addressed allegations that he only wanted to work for one week to film the remaining episodes of Season 5. He said that he actually left his own movie project to be on time for "Yellowstone" and that the producers "spun" his offer to work a week into a claim that he was unwilling to commit.
"I'm very open to coming back," Costner said. "But I took a beating over these guys not speaking up for me and allowing crazy stories to come out."
