Kevin Costner Addresses Rumored Feud With Taylor Sheridan After Departure From ‘Yellowstone’: ‘I Have Taken A Beating’

Kevin Costner, 69, has broken his silence about the speculation around his rumored feud with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and his departure from the hit show in its fifth and final season. Sheridan publicly stated that he was “disappointed” with Costner’s exit. 

Costner addressed the behind-the-scenes conflicts on the Paramount ranch drama and set the record straight in a new interview.

Costner emphasized that Yellowstone was of utmost importance to him. “If you know me well enough, I made Yellowstone the first priority, and to insinuate anything else would be wrong,” he told Deadline. “I did not initiate any of those things. They did.” 

“I have taken a beating from those guys,” Costner said of the show’s producers.

After the news broke in May 2023 that Costner would not return for future seasons of Yellowstone, speculation arose that his departure contributed to the show’s decision to end with Season 5. Reports also circulated that Costner had limited his on-set filming time for the second half of Season 5, which Costner’s attorney denied.

Amid these developments, Costner has been at work on his passion project, an epic western movie, Horizon, which he financed. The film is set to release on June 28.

According to Sheridan’s account, he and Costner discussed how to accommodate Costner’s involvement in his passion project alongside the production of Yellowstone. However, as lawyers became involved, communication between the parties diminished, leading to misunderstandings.

Costner expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, stating that the persistent speculation was not truthful and that he wished the show had stood up for him. He clarified that he had negotiated a contract for three more seasons (5, 6 and 7), but the contractual arrangement changed, resulting in Season 5 being divided into two parts.

Costner maintained that he fulfilled his contractual obligations, dedicated 25 days to Season 5, and even offered a week to the show. He emphasized his commitment to his work and willingness to go above and beyond for the production. Costner mentioned that the delay in completing the final episodes of Season 5 was due to the need for more scripts.

Despite the challenges and negative experiences, Costner expressed his openness to return to Yellowstone if the writing meets his standards. However, he criticized Paramount and production company 101 Studios for managing the situation and the alterations to the show’s format.

After his acrimonious divorce from wife Nicole Baumgartner last year, Costner has reportedly been dating singer Jewel.