NOT SET IN STONE
Kevin Costner would return to Yellowstone under two conditions as Savannah Guthrie asks ‘what happened?’ on Today
Including the show's co-creator's response to Kevin's original exit
KEVIN Costner has revealed he'd return to Yellowstone under two conditions.
The actor appeared on the Today show on Monday morning to promote his new film, Horizon: An American Saga.
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However, host Savannah Guthrie didn't let the interview conclude without addressing Kevin's unexpected exit from the popular series Yellowstone.
The journalist first asked Kevin, 69, to clarify why he left the award-winning series, noting the mixed media reports.
"I think people want to know what happened in your perspective?" Savannah asked.
"Because they say a scheduling conflict, you say you were there, the scripts weren't ready. What happened?"
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Kevin explained that after five years on the cast, an extensive delay in filming due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and scripts taking too long to finalize, he felt it was time to move on.
He then teased that "under the right circumstances," he would consider returning to the show.
For one, The Field of Dreams star said that he "needed material to be ready at certain times," referencing the setbacks with unfinished scripts.
Kevin also said he would potentially return if he could do more projects in addition to Yellowstone, saying he wants to work "more than once a year."
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The day before, Kevin revealed on CBS Sunday Morning that returning to Yellowstone wasn't out of the cards.
"If I like the story, where it was going, I would go back," the movie star shared.
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"I did everything that I was contracted to do with Yellowstone."
Kevin starred in the first five seasons of the show, which premiered in June 2018.
The second half of Season 5 is expected to drop on Paramount+ in November 2024.
Kevin announced in May 2023 that he was leaving the franchise despite its massive success.
If I like the story, where it was going, I would go back.
Kevin Costner
Entertainment Tonight first broke the news, claiming that the decision stemmed from the A-lister's other filming commitments.
However, rumors circulated that there was supposedly drama between Kevin and the show's co-creator, Taylor Sheridan.
"I'm disappointed," Taylor told The Hollywood Reporter about Kevin's departure.
“It truncates the closure of his character. It doesn’t alter it, but it truncates it," he added, hinting that Kevin's character, John Dutton, wasn't meant to be on the show for the entire series.
"My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn't altered," Taylor continued.
"His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I've never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn't work out on the phone.
"But once lawyers get involved, then people don't get to talk to each other and start saying things that aren't true and attempt to shift blame based on how the press or public seem to be reacting.
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"He took a lot of this on the chin and I don't know that anyone deserves it. His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope (the movie is) worth it – and that it's a good one," Taylor ended.
At the time, Kevin hadn't addressed his decision publicly.
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