Chalk this up as a huge surprise, but Paramount’s golden series Yellowstone could be coming to an end when the second half of the fifth season returns this summer.
The surprising move to end the show is due to the series’ lead star Kevin Costner and his rigid filming schedule. According to Deadline, there has been some tension among the creatives and cast of Yellowstone because Costner limited himself to a fixed set of availability for 65 days each season. However, since Season 5 has been split into two parts with 8 episodes having already been released and the remaining 6 later this summer, Costner allowed for 50 days for 5A and only wanted one week of shooting for 5B.
Costner’s inflexibility has apparently been “a source of frustration” for Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, which is made even more awkward due to Costner’s recent Golden Globe win for Best Leading Actor in a drama series for his role as the Dutton patriarch John Dutton. Part of the reason Costner has been reluctant to add to his Yellowstone shooting schedule is because he is set to direct Horizon, a Western American Civil War epic Costner wrote with Jon Baird that will span across several films for Warner Bros. and New Line.
Despite the possibility of Yellowstone abruptly ending, the franchise has been steadily growing through its prequel series 1883 and 1923, the latter of which was just renewed for a second season. While those are prequels, Sheridan is planning for a new series that will continue the Dutton saga with Matthew McConaughey in talks to lead it with many of Yellowstone‘s big names to join it as well, though no names were mentioned in Deadline’s report.
Even if Yellowstone ends, there will be no shortage of the franchise. Along with the second season of 1923, production is expected to begin soon on Bass Reeves, a 1883 spin-off that sees David Oyelowo (Selma) as Bass Reeves, the first Black U.S. Marshall who captured more than 3000 felons during his time as a law enforcement agent. There has also been talk of a series titled 6666 which will follow the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas where the characters have had dealings with John Dutton and other members of his ranch throughout Yellowstone. As for the prequels, Sheridan and Paramount may explore other decades of the Dutton family as they fight for their ranch, namely the 1940s and 1960s.
What do you think of Yellowstone‘s possible ending? Do you want to see Matthew McConaughey join the franchise? How many more spin-offs and prequels can you handle? Let us know on our social channels at @flickeringmyth…
Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton (Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and vicious business rivalries.
Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham, Gil Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Wendy Moniz, Jen Landon and Kathryn Kelly.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
