After months of rumors, it was recently announced that Kevin Costner wouldn’t be returning for Yellowstone season 5, part 2, however, a new report alleges that Costner wants to return to Yellowstone, and if he does, that spells big trouble for the series. Yellowstone season 5, part 1 ended in January 2023, and in the midst of the SAG-AFTRA strike, conflict arose between Yellowstone star Kevin Costner and series creator, Taylor Sheridan. For many months, it seemed Costner would not return for the Yellowstone’s finale, and eventually, this fact was confirmed. Now, Costner’s going back on his word.
Overall, the issues between Costner and Sheridan over Yellowstone have been ongoing and filled with ups and downs. After so many months of Costner implying that he would not return for Yellowstone season 5, part 2, it is especially strange that the actor is now publicly stating his desire to reprise his role as John Dutton. What makes it even worse is that the scripts for Yellowstone’s finale have already been written without Costner in mind, and filming begins in a few weeks. This leaves Taylor Sheridan in a difficult spot that could make or break Yellowstone’s final installment.
Bringing Back Kevin Costner So Late Would Be Like Admitting Yellowstone Doesn’t Work Without Him
Kevin Costner as John Dutton wearing a black cowboy hat and sunglasses in Yellowstone season 5 episode 8
If Taylor Sheridan decides to bring Kevin Costner back in Yellowstone season 5, part 2, it would be like admitting that the series doesn’t work without him. Throughout the conflict between Costner and Sheridan, audiences worried about what Yellowstone would look like without Kevin Costner, and for good reason. Costner’s John Dutton is the center of the story due to his role as Dutton patriarch and owner of Dutton Ranch.
However, Costner’s absence never meant that Yellowstone would fail.
In fact, Sheridan writing the scripts for the finale without Costner in mind proves that the series still works without him.
However, these strides that Sheridan made would mean nothing if he brought Costner back to the show. If Sheridan threw his new scripts away and rewrote the series’ ending for Costner, it would be like a form of defeat. Sheridan would be implying that the Yellowstone he planned to make without Costner was not going to be worth it. In this way, Costner would win in every aspect of this conflict. By refusing to return for the show’s last episodes, then being brought back in any way, Kevin Costner would prove that his presence in the project is absolutely necessary.
Yellowstone IS About More Than Kevin Costner’s John Dutton
Beth (Kelly Reilly) in jail in Yellowstone
The fact of the matter is, Yellowstone can definitely survive without Kevin Costner and John Dutton. Though he may have started as the show’s protagonist, Yellowstone has plenty of other stand-out characters that can easily take up the reins of the show. For example, Beth and Rip are fan favorites of Yellowstone, and without John in the way, these two could finally get the power they have proven they deserve throughout the series. Along with that, other characters could get more spotlight with John Dutton gone, especially the members of the Broken Rock Reservation.
In many ways, removing John Dutton from the end of Yellowstone was a sort of challenge for the neo-Western series. Though it was definitely a difficult and unexpected change, it allowed the series to prove itself as worthy of praise without its flagship character. Kevin Costner is likely what reeled many viewers in when Yellowstone first started, however, the hope is that the story and the other characters are what made audiences stay. Removing John Dutton allowed Yellowstone to prove this fact, and bringing him back will only cast a serious and worrisome shadow of doubt.
Taylor Sheridan Blinking Now Would Set A Bad Precedent For Future Yellowstone Shows
The Duttons riding on their horses in Yellowstone
If Taylor Sheridan brings Kevin Costner back to Yellowstone, it will not only look bad for the main series, but for whatever spinoffs and sequels come next. While it is great to have big actors in a television series, it is questionable and disappointing when those actors are the only reason anyone is watching the show. By bringing Kevin Costner back, Sheridan would be hinting that this is Yellowstone’s problem. It can only bring in viewers because of the actors it hires. Sheridan does not feel confident enough in his show to let go of his big-name actors.
Ultimately, Taylor Sheridan is in a very dangerous position. Though Kevin Costner is a beloved actor, and his character is central to the story, bringing him back now is more a matter of pride. If Sheridan has found a way to end Yellowstone without Costner, he should run with it. Any other choice would make him, and the entire Yellowstone franchise, look questionable.
