Kevin Costner Talks ‘Yellowstone,’ Wants to Return for Final Episodes

Kevin Costner says he would “love” to return for the final episodes of Yellowstone to finish off his character John Dutton.

The actor was at CinemaCon promoting his upcoming film Horizon: An American Saga, when he was asked about whether he’d return to the hit Paramount Network drama after his turbulent apparent departure from the project (and even threatening a lawsuit last year).

In his most detailed public comments about the situation to date, Costner told Entertainment Tonight, “I’d like to be able to do it but we haven’t been able to … I thought I was going to make seven [seasons] but right now we’re at five. So how it works out — I hope it does — but they’ve got a lot of different shows going on. Maybe it will. Maybe this will circle back to me. If it does and I feel really comfortable with [it], I’d love to do it.”

That “if I feel really comfortable” comment is perhaps a bit of a crux, as reportedly Costner has wanted to approve his character’s fate in the show. But co-creator Taylor Sheridan — like most showrunners — doesn’t typically allow actors to determine their own storylines.

“[Dutton] needs to be proactive in what happens and I’ve kind of had my own fantasy how [the character’s final arc] might be,” Costner added. “But that’s Taylor’s thing. I said as much to him a while back. I had thoughts how it could happen, but we just have to see.”

Time is definitely running out on a deal being struck. While Yellowstone hasn’t announced a start-of-production date, filming is expected to get underway soon and the scripts are already written. Media newsletter Puck has previously reported that “even if Costner significantly lowers his financial and time commitment demands, Sheridan may not want to bother reopening his finished scripts to accommodate a send-off for John Dutton.”

The network previously announced that the second half of Yellowstone’s fifth season, which will close the book on the flagship series, is set to premiere in November. Though it’s currently unclear if that target will still be feasible.

Costner’s prior comments about the stand-off came while he was testifying at his divorce hearing in late 2023, where he claimed he’s owed $12 million for the not-yet-filmed second half of season five after Paramount “walked away” from negotiations. The Golden Globe winner also said he might take the show to court to settle their differences.

Meanwhile, Costner’s own Western Horizon is expected to premiere at Cannes next month.

“I’d like to thank the Festival de Cannes for including my film Horizon, An American Saga in this year’s selection,” said Costner in a statement. “It’s been 20 years since I’ve had the pleasure of being on the Croisette. I’ve been waiting for the right time to return and I’m proud to say that this time has come. Horizon, An American Saga is a story that began 35 years ago, and I can’t think of a better place than Cannes to reveal to the world the result of such a wonderful adventure. The French have always supported films and believed deeply in filmmaking. Just as I believe deeply in my film.”

The plot spans the four years of the Civil War and according to the official logline, “explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won — and lost — through the blood, sweat and tears of many.”

Warner Bros. is set to release the first of the two Horizon films June 28, with the second coming out two months later, on Aug. 16.