‘Yellowstone’ Filming Has Gotten ‘Out of Whack’ Without Kevin Costner, Source Says

Kevin Costner leaving 'Yellowstone' has thrown filming 'out of whack,' according to an insider. Here's what the source said regarding how the cast feels.

Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 returns in November 2024. Fans can’t wait to see what happens to the Dutton family. Kevin Costner played John Dutton in the first five and a half seasons of the series. Unfortunately, he verified that he won’t return for Season 5 Part 2. Costner cited scheduling conflicts, but fans speculated on possible cast drama. Here’s what an insider said about Yellowstone filming becoming “out of whack” without Costner.

Kevin Costner leaving ‘Yellowstone’ has caused a ‘big divide’ amongst cast members, says source

Yellowstone will continue without Kevin Costner as John Dutton. Costner said his scheduling conflicts prevented him from filming the series. However, rumors also suggested the actor experienced issues with the production crew, his pay, and his working hours.

An insider told Life & Style that Yellowstone cast members want to “stay in Taylor Sheridan’s good graces,” but many of them “really miss” Costner and think not finding a compromise “was a huge mistake.”

“Certain cast members are already throwing their weight around a lot more than before,” the insider noted. “When Kevin was a part of the cast, he was the undisputed alpha and very much the leader, but with him gone, things have gotten very out of whack. Once they get back on set, the void created by his absence is going to be even more glaring.”

The source noted that the Yellowstone set is experiencing “a big divide” among cast members. While some of the actors are “moaning about what a big mistake it was to let him go,” other cast members want to use the opportunity to get “more of the limelight.” The insider noted that the situation with Costner has “created chaos” on set that will “only get worse” if the show continues for a sixth season.

Kevin Costner discussed his decision to leave the hit series

Kevin Costner has a lot of love for Yellowstone. While he wanted to pursue making Horizon: An American Saga, his four-part film series about the West, he didn’t have time for Horizon and Yellowstone. Costner explained his scheduling conflicts on CBS Mornings in June 2024.

“I wanted to work more than once a year, and it was important that I made room for Yellowstone and made room for Horizon. But people ran through deadlines,” Costner said. “They were busy; they had a lot to do.” The actor added that he’s interested in returning to Yellowstone if he feels the story fits well.

“Yellowstone was my first priority,” he added, “but at a certain point when you make commitments, you just have to live with them.”

Costner also verified that he’s not feuding with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. He said he had a “strong” love for Sheridan while working on the series.

Taylor Sheridan confirmed that negotiations are underway for ‘Yellowstone’ Season 6

Yellowstone fans can rejoice as Taylor Sheridan is pressing forward with the show with or without Kevin Costner. Deadline confirmed that Sheridan is in talks to continue the Western series for season 6. Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser will likely headline the new season.

Several other big names are joining the Yellowstone universe, too. Michelle Pfeiffer is set to lead the spinoff, The Madison, alongside Lost star Matthew Fox and Suits star Patrick J. Adams. Fans can look forward to additional Yellowstone spinoffs 6666 and 1944.

Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, and Billy Bob Thornton also look forward to working with Sheridan on his next series, Landman.

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.