Kevin Costner, the acclaimed actor known for his role as John Dutton in the hit series “Yellowstone,” is making headlines for his threat to sue the show’s producers. This revelation comes as part of Costner’s divorce proceedings from his wife, Christine Baumgartner, during a child support hearing held in a Santa Barbara courtroom.
Costner’s public statement sheds light on his ongoing disputes with the producers of “Yellowstone.” Initially reported in February, it was suggested that his potential exit from the show was related to scheduling conflicts, as he would have less availability for the series. However, during Friday’s hearing, Costner expressed his frustration at not being able to continue on the show and provided further details behind his decision.
READ MORE: Annie Baker’s Janet Planet Captures the Tender Complexities of Childhood Bonds
He mentioned that he had adjusted his schedule to film the first part of “Yellowstone” Season 5, which required him to divert attention from his own four-part movie franchise, starting with “Horizon: An American Saga.” Despite no scripts being written for the second part of Season 5, Costner maintained that a “pay or play” clause entitled him to $12 million for the second half of Season 5, just as he was due for the first half.
When asked about receiving his salary for the second half of Season 5, Costner stated, “I will probably go to court over it.” He clarified that it was the negotiations surrounding the split of Season 5 that led to his decision to exit the show, emphasizing that it had been a challenging and protracted process.
As for whether he would have considered returning for a Season 6, Costner stated that he had been informed that his absence from the #1 TV show was disappointing. He revealed that negotiations involved an offer for less money compared to previous seasons and creative differences that couldn’t be resolved. Costner eventually suggested a figure of $12 million to return, but the “Yellowstone” production ultimately decided to part ways with him.
“Yellowstone,” produced by Paramount Global‘s MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios with Taylor Sheridan as an executive producer, had made Costner one of the highest-paid actors in episodic TV.
The series was previously announced to conclude with its final episodes in November, but the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have disrupted this timeline. Paramount has also ordered an untitled sequel series set to debut on Paramount Network and later on Paramount+, featuring characters from “Yellowstone” and potentially starring Matthew McConaughey. The future of the franchise remains in the hands of the creators and producers.