Yellowstone Possibly Moving On Without Kevin Costner, Franchise Extending with Matthew McConaughey-Led Series

Yellowstone Possibly Moving On Without Kevin Costner, Franchise Extending with Matthew McConaughey-Led Series

Paramount‘s hit series might look a little different in the future as Taylor Sheridan‘s flagship series Yellowstone looks at options beyond Kevin Costner in the lead role. According to reports, there have been disputes over scheduling that have not been resolved, leaving Sheridan and the network to look beyond a Costner-led series and eyeing a franchise extension led by Matthew McConaughey.

There are many questions surrounding what will become of the remaining cast as Deadline notes that it’s unclear if the cast would merge into the McConaughey-led series. According to their sources, the issue lies with the shooting schedule and the limitations Costner had initially set being shortened further from 65 days to 50 days for the first part of the season and looking to shoot the second half of the fifth season in just one week.

Costner is an integral part of the flagship series and his presence is among the most important and his desire to attempt and shorten the shooting time has reportedly led to frustration for Sheridan as well as some of Costner’s costars. The report concludes with Paramount declining Costner’s most recent proposal and their decision to move to the McConaughey-led series which he is still currently in negotiations to star in.

This all could very well lead to the Yellowstone ending with its second half of the fifth season unless the plan is to write off John Dutton and see McConaughey take the lead. However, from the sounds of it, it seems the plan is for this to be a new series and it’s unclear if it will take place at Yellowstone ranch in Montana.

The Sheridan universe has seen immense success as it continues to venture out with multiple series such as 1883 and 1923 which just earned a second-season renewal. This might be a hiccup in what has been mostly success surrounding the series but I don’t believe this is enough to slow down Sheridan or Yellowstone.

Stay tuned as more information is revealed on the state of Yellowstone.

Source: Deadline