Many claimed Costnerβs rumored exit from Taylor Sheridanβs epic drama was a sign of behind-the-scenes tension.
Kevin CostnerΒ spoke out this week against rumors that hisΒ alleged exit fromΒ YellowstoneΒ was a result of behind-the-scenes tension with his ego.
βI loved the show,β Costner toldΒ People. βI liked the people on the show. I liked what it was about. I love that world.β
Costner originated the protagonist, John Dutton, on Taylor Sheridanβs Paramount drama, and played the role for five seasons before rumors that he planned to exit the show began making consistent headlines. Many claimed the Oscar-winner was orchestrating a step back to make room for hisΒ Horizon: An American Saga, which released its first chapter at theΒ Cannes Film FestivalΒ last month. Plans for the future ofΒ YellowstoneΒ have yet to be announced.
βWhen it was first pitched to me byΒ Taylor [Sheridan]Β it was one season and [like] a long movie, which [is] speaking my languageβ¦ but ultimately, I think what happened was the studio didnβt want that,β Costner said of the initial job. βAnd because heβs such a prolific writer, he said, βI can do that. I can make a series that goes on.ββ
Costner said he βstepped upβ to the extension, and told Sheridan, βIβll do it for three seasonsβ¦ and I ended up doing it for five.β He added that he was game to continue past the fifth, but no one could provide aΒ timeline on the production.
βThere was a moment where that show for me stopped for 14 months,β he said. βThatβs the fact. I could have done a lot of things in that time, but I wasnβt aware that that [hold-up] was going to happen.β
When rumors began to swirl that he was leaving due to his ego, Costner said he was βdisappointedβ that no one defended him. βI read all the stories,β he said. βI was disappointed that nobody on their sideβ¦ ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them. There came a moment where I thought, βWow, when is somebody going to say something about what IΒ haveΒ done versus what IΒ havenβtΒ done?ββ
Despite the drama, the actor still has many good things to say about SheridanβsΒ YellowstoneΒ universe.
βI liked the writing and really, really liked what Taylor was doing,β he said. βHe understood the world of modern-day ranching and was able to create all this other type of drama inside it, but in an effective way.β
He even said thatΒ if the script feels right, he hasnβt written off coming back for more. βIβve always felt thatβ¦ It might be an interesting moment to come back and finish the mythology of this modern-day family,β he said. βAnd if that happens, I would step into it if I agreed with how it was being done.β