The news of “Yellowstone” ending has fans disappointed. The show is one of the biggest on television. However, issues with Kevin Costner allegedly led to the decision to cancel the show. Now, fans are waiting for the final episodes to air. Sadly, it seems that Kevin Costner won’t return to reprise the role of John Dutton before the finale.
Is Yellowstone ending without Kevin Costner?
Hollywood insider Matt Belloni revealed during “The Town” podcast that Costner doesn’t appear to be returning to “Yellowstone” for the final episodes of Season 5. Unless something changes before the show goes back into production post-strike, it looks like fans have seen the last of John Dutton.
“Yellowstone will probably go back into production at the beginning of the year,” Belloni said. “Scripts are already written, I’m told, or are being written. And the question is whether Costner is in those final episodes of this season of Yellowstone. And my understanding is that, as of now, he is not going to be in those episodes.”
When fans last saw John Dutton, he had become the Governor of Montana. He was busy trying to save his ranch, and of course, his children were causing trouble. The final episode of Season 5 before the midseason break featured John and his only daughter, Beth Dutton. The two had a conversation about Beth’s adoptive brother Jamie trying to impeach John. Beth suggested that John take Jamie to the “train station,” hinting that an all-out Dutton war was about to take place.
What will happen to John Dutton in Yellowstone Season 5?
However, things are up in the air now. If Costner doesn’t return, how will the show write John off? As previously reported by Hollywood News Daily, Costner’s contract allegedly gives him some power over what happens to his character.
According to Puck, Costner has a rare provision called a “moral death” clause added to his contract. This means he has a say about how his character could be killed off the show. If the actor doesn’t reprise his role, it seems only likely that John Dutton will be killed off-screen.
Of course, fans have a lot of opinions about the situation. “It’s just awful. All he had to do was show up one day, just one. And 10 seconds after filming him just staring at his land he falls over dead or is shot or something. He couldn’t even give us that?” one person said via Reddit. “I am really disappointed. I love the show. Honestly one of my favorites. The last episode gave us nothing in terms of closure for him, and I was really excited for the next season,” another wrote.
Inside Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone drama
Many fans are confused about the drama going on behind the scenes of “Yellowstone.” However, it all started shortly after the first part of Season 5 began airing. Rumors that Costner was causing issues on set began to surface. There was speculation that the actor didn’t want to adhere to the filming schedule.
Although “Yellowstone” is ending when Season 5 returns in November 2024, the franchise lives on. In addition to the prequel “1923,” other spin-offs have been announced. A spin-off titled “1944,” is in the works, as well as a modern-day spin-off that’s currently being called “2024.” This one could actually include some of the current characters like Kayce, Beth, and Rip. However, fans will have to wait to find out all the details.
Image Credits: Emerson Miller for Paramount Network.
