If Kevin Costner wants to return to Yellowstone, we’re all for it…
but bringing the actor back could hurt the show!
It was shocking to learn that, after months of speculation, Kevin Costner will not be returning for Yellowstone season 5, part 2. However, if the actor decides to return as John Dutton, according to a recent report, things could get a little more serious for the show.
After Yellowstone season 5, part 1, ended in January 2023, tensions between series creator Taylor Sheridan and Costner surfaced amid a contract dispute between SAG and AFTRA. After months of speculation, it was finally confirmed that the 69-year-old actor would not be returning for the finale of Yellowstone . Now, it looks like Costner is going back on his word.
Curiously, Costner has now announced his intention to reprise his role as John Dutton after months of hinting that he wouldn’t be returning for the final season. But note that this could potentially make or break the final chapter of Yellowstone by putting Sheridan in a difficult position.
Wait, is Kevin Costner considering returning to Yellowstone?
The answer to that question is no clearer now than it was in the recent past, even with the caveat that Kevin Costner may actually want to return to finish John Dutton’s story. According to a report by Puck News, the actor has decided to return for Yellowstone season 5 part 2, with the intention of reprising his role as John for the show’s climax.
Filming is set to begin in a few weeks, but the scripts for the final batch of episodes have already been finalized. It’s unclear from the report whether the writer, Taylor Sheridan, is willing to alter his script to allow Costner to make a farewell appearance on the show.
While Sheridan, 54, seems to have an idea of what the story will look like even if Costner leaves, it’s unclear how significant his presence will be in the final episodes. With the script already written, it seems unlikely that the actor will return for more than a brief scene to complete his storyline. If he does make a cameo, Yellowstone will still be delayed, as there’s too much time between the current season and previous episodes.
Why Kevin Costner’s potential return could upset the balance of the show?
Since John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, is central to the show’s main storyline, the actor’s abrupt departure from Yellowstone poses a huge challenge for Taylor Sheridan and the show’s writers. Bringing some of the storylines to a satisfying conclusion would be extremely difficult without John involved. While Taylor Sheridan’s new plan for Yellowstone could provide a graceful exit, it wouldn’t have the same impact as Costner returning to finish the series.
Costner has to commit to a full season or face on-screen death. If the beloved actor only appeared briefly or perhaps in a scene where he died, it would be even more disappointing. It would almost force the story to focus solely on John Dutton, which would be detrimental to other stories and characters.
Also, bringing Costner back would put Sheridan and his growing roster of shows in jeopardy. Frankly, his return would mean we couldn’t continue the show without him, which is simply not true at this point. The wealth of spin-offs from Yellowstone proves that the show has always revolved around its large cast of beloved characters and great Western drama, not just Costner.
So it would be foolish to compromise the storylines of other characters for the sake of a brief return. For example, Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) will finally get the attention they deserve, regardless of John’s interference.
Anything less feels like a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the film’s success while not fully respecting the story built around Costner’s character.
