The epic neo-Western drama Yellowstone has been at the center of heavy debate, and it’s not because of a shocking plot point or character arc but rather because of a delay in filming. Kevin Costner has often been implicated as the source of the delay, and he has since come forward to reportedly shed more light on the situation and how multiple parties contributed to the delay.
Yellowstone first premiered on June 20, 2018 via Paramount Network. It chronicles the drama set around the titular national park, along with the Broken Rock Indian reservation, and the Dutton Ranch. The fifth season was confirmed to be its last, and while the first half, codenamed 5A, premiered on November 13, 2022, fans are still waiting on the last leg of the journey, 5B. Just why is that?
Kevin Costner addresses rumors about the ‘Yellowstone’ filming delays and his role in it
The general consensus that had been going around about Yellowstone filming delays pointed the finger at Costner, claiming he only wanted to work for one week to film the remainder of season five. Due to his role as a major character, John Dutton III, this would create significant difficulties for the cast and crew.
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Costner, however, insists, “I left my movie [“Horizon”] to be on time for them for 5B,” adding, “I left exactly when they wanted, and it made it hard on me. It turns out they didn’t have the scripts for 5B. They needed four more days just to complete the first eight episodes. I left early to give them what they needed to have a complete eight, and I felt bad that the audience didn’t get 10. They didn’t have the scripts for anything else.”
After the first half of season five finished airing episodes, the crew took a break for the holidays and were supposed to return to filming with the start of the new year; that was subsequently pushed back to the summer. Given what material was available, Costner insists he “lived up to” his contract, but “There was no script.” He added, “And then things imploded. You’ve been reading one version [of the show’s issues] for a year and a half.”
A lot of pieces were allegedly having trouble fitting together for filming
Because there was no script for them to work off of, Costner recounted, “I said, ‘Look, if you want to end this elegantly, the best I can do is give you a week. And if you can figure out a storyline…’ And they took that and a source on their side spun that into, well, he only wants to work a week for a whole season.”
“I made Yellowstone the first priority,” the Field of Dreams star insisted, “and to insinuate anything else would be wrong. I did not initiate any of those things. They did. They were doing a tap dance and this poor guy was also having to write so much. And I don’t know why they didn’t stick up for me.”
“It’s just that simple,” Costner concluded. “Paramount and 101 Studios mismanaged this. They had me for five, six, and seven. I agreed to do it. And then they steadily began changing their format.”
After all of this, however, Costner says he is “very open to coming back.” He explained it would depend on if things were circled back to, if “it’s a really cool two seasons.” If things ended organically and this was a final goodbye, Costner says he’s prepared to part ways for good. “But,” he added, “I took a beating over these guys not speaking up for me and allowing crazy stories to come out.” While that part is hard to forget, Costner insists that if good writing is there for a return to Yellowstone, “I will be there too.”
In the meantime, however, the Yellowstone universe is expanding further still. Fans were treated to two prequel stories, the first being 1883 and the second 1923, the latter of which is ongoing. Another spinoff entitled 6666 is also in development, and early last year Paramount confirmed a fourth spinoff called 1944. Deadline reports that 5B is expected to premiere in November of this year.
Have you watched any entries in the greater Yellowstone franchise, and which is your favorite?
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