A timeline of the behind-the-scenes drama on 'Yellowstone,' which has put the way forward for the favored sequence in jeopardy

In February, it was reported that “Yellowstone” could also be coming to a untimely finish.

The most important cliffhanger within the newest season of Paramount Community’s wildly common drama “Yellowstone” wasn’t delivered on display screen however behind the digicam, as viewers realized through a Deadline report a month after the midseason finale aired that the Dutton saga could be coming to a untimely finish.

The outlet reported that cocreator and showrunner Sheridan, Paramount International, and Paramount Community have been trying to finish the neo-Western drama after its present fifth season due to disagreements with Kevin Costner over taking pictures schedules. 

The actor, who has been portraying protagonist John Dutton within the scores juggernaut since 2018, reportedly needed to chop again his variety of days filming on location for the remaining episodes of season 5.

In line with the report, the “Subject of Goals” star restricted himself to being on set for simply 50 days throughout the eight episodes which have already aired, and needed to solely spend every week filming the remaining six installments.

It added that the scheduling conflicts had turn into a supply of frustration for Sheridan and brought on morale issues for the opposite stars of the present, which embrace Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Gil Birmingham. 

The identical report acknowledged that Matthew McConaughey was in talks to guide a brand new as-yet-untitled spinoff that may proceed the franchise.

Alongside the information that “Yellowstone” could be ending, Deadline additionally reported that the group behind the sequence was creating a franchise extension starring Matthew McConaughey after rejecting Costner’s newest try at a compromise over his taking pictures schedule.

It was reported on the time that “The True Detective” actor was nonetheless within the technique of negotiations.

A Paramount spokesperson denied the claims however stated that McConaughey is a “phenomenal expertise” with whom they’d like to companion.

“We have now no information to report,” a Paramount Community spokesperson responded once we reached out for remark in February.

“Kevin Costner is an enormous a part of ‘Yellowstone,’ and we hope that is the case for a very long time to return.” 

Nonetheless, the assertion did not precisely put to mattress the rumors, occurring so as to add: “Due to the good thoughts of Taylor Sheridan, we’re at all times engaged on franchise expansions of this unimaginable world he has constructed. Matthew McConaughey is an outstanding expertise with whom we might like to companion.”

Days later, Jamie Dutton actor Wes Bentley assured followers that it was a “little bit of drama over nothing.”

Talking to Leisure Weekly at SCAD TVFest in February, simply days after the report, Bentley stated that followers don’t have anything to fret about.

“The information that is come out lately in regards to the present is, you realize, it is above my pay grade. Totally different folks making choices,” the “American Horror Story” actor stated.

“I do know that they are nonetheless engaged on… working issues out with everybody, to ensure we shoot. And I am assured we are going to. We at all times have earlier than. I feel it is in all probability a little bit of drama over nothing.”

When Costner gave his Golden Globes acceptance speech for finest actor in a TV drama, he did not acknowledge the rumors, nor thank his “Yellowstone” group.

After being compelled to skip the January ceremony as a consequence of extreme flooding close to his house in Santa Barbara, on February 14 — only a week after the explosive rumors got here to gentle — Costner posted a video of himself unboxing the trophy from his mattress and shared just a few phrases of gratitude.

He stated “it feels actually good” to lastly obtain recognition for his function within the drama, however did not point out “Yellowstone” by title nor give because of cocreator Sheridan or any of the opposite solid members in his checklist of thank yous.

Costner’s lawyer stated that claims that his consumer solely needed to spend every week filming the remainder of season 5 have been “an absolute lie.”

Talking to Puck in February, the actor’s litigator, Marty Singer, stated the reviews about his consumer have been “ridiculous” however did not converse to what Costner’s future on the present seems to be like.

“The concept Kevin was solely keen to work one week on the second half of season 5 of ‘Yellowstone’ is an absolute lie,” he stated.

“It is ridiculous — and anybody suggesting it should not be believed for one second,” he continued. “As everybody who is aware of something about Kevin is effectively conscious, he’s extremely passionate in regards to the present and has at all times gone method above and past to make sure its success.”

In March, Paramount confirmed that McConaughey’s “Yellowstone” spinoff was formally transferring ahead no matter Costner’s future.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Media Networks president Chris McCarthy confirmed that the rumored McConaughey-led spinoff of the favored sequence was transferring ahead, no matter whether or not Costner returns to the unique or not.

The outlet reported that it was one in all greater than 10 tasks that Sheridan has lined up for the community.

As for Costner’s future, he did not have any updates to share however did inform the publication that the flagship sequence “would not be what it’s at this time with out Kevin and we hope that that stays for a very long time to return.”

In April, the present’s predominant solid was anticipated to attend PaleyFest in Los Angeles however did not present up.

This 12 months, “Yellowstone” made its PaleyFest debut. Forward of the present’s panel on Saturday, April 1, attendees have been promised a particular screening adopted by a dialog and Q&A with the sequence’ predominant solid.

The unique checklist of those that have been presupposed to be there included Costner, Sheridan, and government producer David Glasser, in addition to solid members Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham, and Jacki Weaver. 

Nevertheless, in a last-minute shakeup that felt like an April Fools’ Day prank, all the line-up modified with not one of the unique expertise current.

As a substitute, Josh Lucas, Daybreak Olivieri, Wendy Moniz, and Mo Brings Loads sat on the panel with Paramount Community improvement president Keith Cox. 

Paramount Community’s president of improvement and manufacturing, Keith Cox, confirmed at PaleyFest that Costner is not going wherever any time quickly.

Cox addressed the rumors about Costner because the panel, attended by Insider, kicked off.

“What I can say is our star, the face of our present, and government producer, are very assured he’s going to proceed with our present,” stated Cox.

When requested once we can count on manufacturing on the season to renew, Cox stated an announcement will come “quickly.” 

He described the season’s remaining episodes as “phenomenal. I am assured.”

Forged members confirmed that filming for the rest of season 5 has but to start, regardless of the earlier promise that it will air this summer season.

Talking to Yahoo on the pink carpet forward of the panel, the solid in attendance confirmed that the second half of season 5 — which viewers have been promised would air “this summer season” — has not but began filming, nor they haven’t been given a begin date or seen scripts.

“I’ve no information to report. I simply know that Taylor’s writing, and we all know he is a prolific author, and I am excited to see it when it comes,” Moniz, who performs Lynelle Perry, stated.

Loads additionally confirmed that manufacturing had but to start, however stated: “There’s some dates floating round.”

In Might, a brand new report acknowledged that Costner wouldn’t be returning to “Yellowstone” after season 5.

Sources near manufacturing consider that Costner will exit the present following its fifth season, in keeping with Leisure Tonight. 

The unnamed supply informed the outlet that there was nonetheless no information about when the solid and crew could be returning to set to complete the season. They didn’t converse as to whether the present plans to proceed with out the actor after season 5.

The information got here only a day after it was introduced that Costner was additionally going through some private issues after his spouse of 18 years filed for divorce.

Costner’s representatives didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark concerning his future.