Yellowstone
Summary
Yellowstonealmost starred a different Western motion-picture show icon as John Dutton , and if this programme had amount to pass , the show would have ended much sooner . While Kevin Costner has asterisk in everything from wild-eyed dramas to horror movies , he ’s become intimately associated with Westerns . His breakthrough role was in 1985’sSilverado , and in former old age he star in and lead the acclaimedDances with Wolves , played the titular lawman inWyatt Earpand helm the underratedOpen Range .
Costner ’s forthcoming moving-picture show seriesHorizon : An American Sagaalso promise to be a major event . Of course , in recent years Costner ’s large success has beenYellowstone , where he plays patriarch John Dutton . Yellowstoneis very much a mod Western , with Costner sign language on to the show being one of the reason it became such a success . Yellowstoneand its many spinoffsare some of the biggest serial on TV , but the original show is coiffe to terminate with the upcoming 2nd part of time of year 5.Costner is also leavingYellowstoneunder tense circumstances .
The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch has resist from 1883 to 2020 . Here ’s a bird ’s eye sight of every relevant result in the history of the Dutton kin .
Robert Redford Originally Agreed To Play John Dutton In Yellowstone
HBO wanted a big star for the show
TheYellowstoneextended existence will come through its dying , though a doubt mark surrounds Costner ’s engagement in the final episode . In an alternating timeline , Butch Cassidy and the Sundance KidstarRobert Redford almost playedYellowstone’sJohn Dutton , however . Sheridan recalled in a 2023THRinterview that when the show was in growth with HBO , he was tell he ’d need a big star for the project to get greenlit .
They said , ‘ We want Robert Redford . They said , ‘ If you could get us Robert Redford , we ’ll greenlight the pilot . ’
take them at their word , the author / conductor go to get together Redford . To the impact of all need , the Hollywood veteran actually agree to act as Dutton too . While it has become almost accustomed for moving-picture show stars to dunk their toe into television in the last decade or so , Redford agree toYellowstonewas a specially big good deal . Since becoming a flick star , Redford had n’t seem in a boob tube series since his early day making guest visual aspect on the like ofThe Twilight Zoneduring the early 1960s .
Why Robert Redford Exited Yellowstone
HBO only wanted a “Robert Redford type”
build up with Redford ’s allegiance , Sheridan returned to HBO for his expect greenlight . It was n’t forthcoming though , because after the initial shock of have them know the movie icon suppose yes , they said " We entail a Robert Redford character . ’ ” Sheridan say the web was always a short cold on the project , with a web VP tell the show ’s Jehovah " We ’re HBO , we ’re avant - garde , we ’re trendsetters . This feels like a step backward . "
When it became exonerated the serial publication would n’t be move out front with HBO , Sheridan shopped it around to other networks . Redford dropped out of the John Dutton role during the transition from HBO to Paramount , during which the showrunner go to meshing like TNT and TBS before itfinallyfound a home on the Paramount internet . It debut in 2018 and within a few years , became one of the biggest shows in America ,
Robert Redford’s Acting Retirement Would Have Killed Yellowstone Early
Redford called it quits in 2018
In the final yr of his acting life history , Redford became very active , appear in everything from the ( almost ) dialog - barren survival dramaAll Is Lostto appearances in MCU outing like 2014’sCaptain America : The Winter Soldier . Redford announced his acting retirement follow 2018’sThe Old Man & the Gun , though his last live - action part was a cameo in 2019’sAvengers : Endgame . Redford has kept to his retirement vow , though he ’s suggested he ’s open to a return for the right task .
Of of course , had Redford signed on forYellowstone , he likely would have leave after two or three seasons . The Western drama debuted in 2018 - the year he " retired " - and while he may have been convinced by Sheridan to bond around for a couple of yr , the adept seemed engrossed on bringing his career to a close during this time . Costner ’s exit might be closingYellowstoneearlier than Sheridan or Paramount would have liked , but he at least intrust to five very successful series before bowing out .
Kevin Costner Was Always The Best Casting For John Dutton
The Western star made Dutton his own
Redford would have been great asYellowstone’sJohn Dutton , though his interpretation and energy would have beenverydifferent . The whiz is almost 20 years older than Costner , so he may have brought a more mellow bound to the part . It would have been fascinating to see what Redford brought to the part , but Costner was at last the best choice . He has more Western bonafides to his name and play the persona with both a warmthanda darker edge .
Related : Yellowstone Cast Guide : Every New & Returning Season 5 reference
Dutton might be a human race of principles with a computer code of honor , but he has zero problems with committing murder or sabotage to maintain ascendancy . His precedence is keeping his ranch and land , and he even reluctantly became a politician to help do that . There ’s a earth - weary , lived - in reality to Costner ’s piece of work as Dutton . Had Redford sign up , in all likeliness he would have get out after about three seasons , but the welfare of Costner ’s casting is audiences stimulate to see him get and develop in the role .
The show ’s continued success go to its various offshoots , including the prequel series1883 , which is arguably the good series to arrive from the even - expandingYellowstonesaga thus far . The series might give the stage to other major characters like Dutton ’s children , but Costner ’s fiber is the grounding center of the westerly dramatic event .
Will Costner Return For Yellowstone’s Final Episodes?
The actor/director is looking towards theHorizon
Between Costner ’s loss and Sheridan suingYellowstoneco - star Cole Hauser over competing coffee brands , thing presently appear fraught behind the scenes . YellowstoneSeason 5 Part Twois expect to resume production in spring 2024 , though reports suggest Costner wo n’t be involved . The actor also propose he might be take on legal action at law against Paramount over money he ’s owe for the series , sothe odds of Costner making aYellowstonereturn are currently bare .
He ’s also focused on hisHorizonmovies , which is a passion project over 30 years in the making . It would feel unusual forYellowstoneto standoff to a ending without a single appearance by Costner as Dutton , specially since his concluding scene was a exculpated tantalization for the next time of year . Hopefully , Costner and Sheridan can work out their differences and come to a via media about the show ’s conclusion , and close out Dutton ’s arc with some self-respect .
