Kevin Costner will reportedly not return to Yellowstone after season 5

Kevin Costner’s continuing presence in ‘Yellowstone’ has been in question since it was first reported that the actor had requested fewer shooting days back in February.

Now, sources have revealed that Costner is likely not to return to the series after season 5, leaving the question of how ‘Yellowstone’ will continue without its lead character and patriarch, John Dutton.

Sources close to production have revealed the news

According to Entertainment Tonight, sources close to ‘Yellowstone’ production have said that Costner will complete shooting the second half of Season 5, but will most likely exit the show to focus on other projects afterward.

Other sources have come out to say that the cast and crew still have no idea when they’ll be able to return to Montana to complete the shooting for Season 5.

Overall, there is still an air of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the production of ‘Yellowstone’ that shows no sign of clearing up.

Why is Costner leaving the show?

There has allegedly been tension brewing between Costner and ‘Yellowstone’ showrunner, Taylor Sheridan, especially regarding the amount of time that Costner was willing to put into filming ‘Yellowstone’.

Costner is also working on his upcoming Western movie, ‘Horizon’, which he will direct, produce, and star in, which may have contributed to the conflicting schedules.

The cast and crew themselves also reportedly have very little information about what’s going on, making the problem largely between Costner and Sheridan.

Scripts for the second half of Season 5 were also not completed by the time shooting was originally meant to start at the end of 2022.

“Kevin’s been extremely cooperative with working with Taylor and his production company, 101 Studios. They were supposed to shoot the second chapter of Season 5 late last year, but they just didn’t have the scripts,” another source said.

What could be next for ‘Yellowstone’ if Costner leaves the show?

“Hopefully Kevin will return for the remaining episodes if everyone works together, but it looks like ‘Yellowstone’ will end after this season,” a Paramount spokesman said in a statement in April.

Aside from the main series, a number of spinoff series have taken off, exploring the history of the Dutton family, and how they established their ranch in Yellowstone, Montana. These shows include ‘1883′, ‘1923′, and the upcoming ‘1944′.

‘6666′ is another spinoff set in the modern-day and is meant to be released sometime in 2023 or early 2024.

Costner has just been divorced from his wife

The news of Costner’s exit from ‘Yellowstone’ comes as it was announced that Costner’s wife of 18 years, Christine Costner, has filed for divorce from the actor.

“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” Costner’s representative said in a statement.

“We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”