Beef With Taylor Sheridan is Not the Only Reason, Studio Rejecting Kevin Costner’s 1 Request With Yellowstone Script Was the Final Nail in the Coffin

Scheduling Conflicts Or Unfulfilled Demands? What Pushed Kevin Costner to Quit Taylor Sheridan’s Western Drama?

Nobody could’ve anticipated the zenith of popularity that Yellowstone would reach when Taylor Sheridan and Kevin Costner first teamed up. Unfortunately enough, however, it all came crashing down just as fast and one of the most-watched television shows was abruptly canceled. So, the forthcoming season is the last one that fans will be getting (minus the spinoffs, of course).

Neo-Western drama Yellowstone

Then came Costner’s unexpected exit from the show which was followed by the telltale speculation of a feud between the actor and the Yellowstone creator. But it turns out, there’s reportedly more to Costner’s departure than a dispute with Sheridan.

Kevin Costner’s Unfulfilled Demands Made Him Quit Yellowstone
After months of prolonging the inevitable, the negotiations between Kevin Costner and Paramount Network fell through the roof as the 2-time Oscar winner confirmed his farewell from Yellowstone on Thursday, June 20 (via Instagram).

Despite his clash with Taylor Sheridan, however, the studio still pulled offers out of a hat for Costner – who portrayed the Dutton family’s patriarch in the neo-Western drama – promising a shorter filming schedule for the same pay. But new reports claim that the 69-year-old actor made outlandish demands that the studio couldn’t possibly concede to (via Puck News | RadarOnline.com).

Kevin Costner in Yellowstone

Not only did Costner reportedly insist on an even more abridged filming schedule than what Paramount initially offered, but he also wanted “script approval” over Yellowstone’s final episodes. Furthermore, the actor and producer apparently had a “moral death” clause in his contract which would ensure that his character doesn’t meet a “dishonorable” end in the flagship series.

Ultimately, the studio refused to fulfill the Horizon: An American Saga star’s reported demands, leading Costner to publicly announce his exit from Sheridan’s behemoth Western drama.

Kevin Costner Doesn’t Need “Drama” in His Life
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the Waterworld star admitted that “it wasn’t tough” to go public with his long-speculate leave from Yellowstone. “It was a necessary decision to say, ‘Hey, okay I don’t want to really talk about this anymore. It’s time to move on,’” he said. But more importantly, Costner was tired of the “drama” surrounding the whole situation.

“I gave this thing five seasons I was really happy to do it. And I don’t need drama. So, let’s just take that drama away, let’s take the guessing [away]. The fans have been way too good to me. And my obligation is to go on and continue to make things that mean something to them.”

Luke Grimes and Kevin Costner in Yellowstone

In the official video announcing his egress that he posted on social media, Costner stated that the “beloved” show “really changed [him],” but fans won’t be seeing any more of him in the Yellowstone-verse hereafter. “I loved it and I know you loved it,” he admitted. “And I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning.”

Yellowstone is available for streaming on Paramount+.