Kevin Costner is not going there. The actor was quick to shut down questions about the rumored internal drama surrounding his exit from the popular show “Yellowstone” when pressed on the topic during an interview with Gayle King that aired Thursday. Costner sat down with the host on “CBS Mornings” to promote his new show “Horizon,” but the conversation turned uncomfortable when King asked him to divulge why he decided not to return to “Yellowstone” for another season. King referenced rumors of a dispute between the actor and creator Taylor Sheridan and issues regarding compensation and scheduling.
The 69-year-old actor, who portrayed John Dutton III in the series for five seasons, told King that he “loved the show before anybody” and would return “in a second if I felt that it was something that I could do.” But King persisted, probing further into the alleged demands and scheduling conflicts that reportedly led to his departure. “If it’s not that hard, why can’t the two of you be able to work it out? People would love to see that,” she said.
Costner did not appreciate the persistence. “It’s not therapy, Gayle,” he remarked pointedly. “We’re not going to discuss this on the show really, honestly.” King tried to lighten the mood by saying she was a “good therapist,” but Costner remained firm. “I’ve conducted my life in a pretty straightforward way,” he continued. “I’ve never missed any obligations in my entire career, so the idea is wide open for me. It just happens to be like, can I fall in love with the writing, can I fall in love with the part that wants to go forward?”
Costner announced earlier this month that he will not return for another season of “Yellowstone” but offered no explanation for his departure from the show. The vague announcement on Instagram set off a flurry of speculation as fans wondered whether the show would return for another season. After the first half of the fifth season aired late last year, the show took a break for the holidays. They were set to return to filming at the top of the new year, but that was pushed back to sometime this summer. The cast is currently filming in Montana.
Ahead of the news, Costner said he was well-aware of the online buzz surrounding his exit and was not thrilled with the lack of support from production. “I read all the stories,” he said. “I was disappointed that nobody on their side … ever stepped up to defend what it was I actually did for them. There came a moment where I thought, ‘Wow, when is somebody going to say something about what I have done versus what I haven’t done?”
Paramount Network announced that the final half of season five is set to premiere on Sunday, Nov. 10. Costner has been on a press tour for part one of his newest venture and passion project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” which is now in theaters. As he went out and about to talk about his western film, Costner kept getting asked about “Yellowstone” and whether he might return for its conclusion.
Kevin originally left it open, but finally decided to get out in front of the question and posted a video officially announcing he wouldn’t be reprising his role as John Dutton as the final season of the show came to a close. He even talked about why he put that video out while he was a guest on “The Rich Eisen Show.” But still, journalists and interviewers have hit him with “Yellowstone” questions, and it has become clear that he’s somewhat over it at this point.
That was evident in his “CBS Mornings” interview with Gayle King, in which she asked him if “Horizon,” along with an “ego battle,” was ultimately why he didn’t come back to “Yellowstone.” “Some say because of ‘Horizon,’ it caused problems for you on ‘Yellowstone.’ People say this about the two of you: both big egos, both very powerful, both at the top of their game, and that right now, maybe you two are playing a game of whose ego is bigger? Do you see it that way? Whose is bigger, Kevin?”
Costner handled that question with class, and responded as he has the million other times he’s been asked it over the past couple of weeks: “I loved the show before anybody. It was Taylor and myself. The truth never changes – that love was really strong. The idea of going back – I would do that in a second if I felt that it was something that I could do, wanted to do, I would make it fit.”
That’s been the “copy and paste” answer that Costner has given in every interview. Says he loved the show, stood up for it before anyone else, and would have loved to go back… though he ended up not going back. But still, that’s Costner’s answer, and he’s stuck to it. But Gayle King wanted more, so she doubled down: “But the characterization of you isn’t necessarily flattering. You made demands, you want to have a certain schedule, you want to shoot at a certain time, you want certain money. If it’s not that hard, why can’t the two of you be able to work it out? People would love to see that.”
You could tell visually through Costner’s body language that he wasn’t a fan of the insinuations in the follow-up question, so this time, he answered in more of a “prickly cactus” kind of way: “This isn’t therapy, Gayle, I mean we’re not gonna discuss this on the show. Honestly, I’ve conducted my life in a pretty straightforward way. I’ve never missed any obligations in my entire career.”
When he said the “therapy” line, Gayle tried to laugh and play it off, saying she was a “good therapist.” Costner never once smirked, and he powered through King’s attempt to make the awkward question more lighthearted. He might not be playing John Dutton anymore, but he sure still can pull out that ruthlessness whenever he needs it.
Costner faced probing questions from Gayle King on his official “Yellowstone” departure — and he wasn’t happy. Speculation has swirled of friction between Costner and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, since rumors of the actor’s exit surfaced in May 2023. A year later, Costner officially confirmed on June 21 that he wasn’t returning to the Paramount+ series. On the June 27 episode of “CBS Mornings,” King, 69, pushed the Oscar-winning actor to his limit, questioning if he and Sheridan are “playing a game of ‘whose ego is bigger?’” in an awkward exchange.
Costner responded, “I love the show. I loved the show before anybody. It was Taylor and myself. The truth never changes – that love was really strong. The idea of going back – I would do that in a second if I felt that it was something that I could do, wanted to do, I would make it fit.”
Despite Costner’s clear avoidance of the question, the veteran journalist pushed more on why he and Sheridan haven’t been “able to work it out.” “But the characterization of you isn’t necessarily flattering,” King told him. “You made demands, you want to have a certain schedule, you want to shoot at a certain time, you want certain money. If it’s not that hard, why can’t the two of you be able to work it out? People would love to see that.”
“This isn’t therapy, Gayle, I mean we’re not gonna discuss this on the show,” Costner replied. King then insisted that she’s “a good therapist,” but Costner reiterated everything he’s previously said about the series. He noted he has conducted his life “in a pretty straightforward way” and has “never missed any obligations” throughout his whole career.
The actor made similar comments to People, saying: “I liked what it was about. I love that world.” He added “the scripts weren’t there” and that he had a new priority: his new four-part film project, “Horizon: An American Saga.”
Despite his decision to move on, Costner described “Yellowstone” as a “beloved series” in his goodbye message to fans earlier this month. “I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future,” he said in his Instagram video. “I loved it and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning. I love the relationships that I’ve been able to develop. And I’ll see you at the movies.”
Sheridan, 54, previously made comments on his and Costner’s relationship following the actor’s exit rumors in 2023. He acknowledged disappointment over Costner’s departure, but didn’t remark on anything negative about him. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in June 2023, Sheridan said, ”My opinion of Kevin as an actor hasn’t altered.” “His creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful … and I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone,” Sheridan told THR. “But once lawyers get involved, then people don’t get to talk to each other and start saying things that aren’t true and attempt to shift blame based on how the press or public seem to be reacting. He took a lot of this on the chin and I don’t know that anyone deserves it.”
Sheridan also commented on Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga,” in which the actor is the writer, director, producer and star. “His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope [the movie is] worth it — and that it’s a good one,” Sheridan said.
The first half of “Yellowstone” Season 5 aired between November 2022 and January 2023. The final six episodes are shooting now and are scheduled to air on November 10.
Source: Fox News, CBS Mornings, The Hollywood Reporter
