Actor Luke Grimes, who stars in Yellowstone, has spoken out about the departure of co-star Kevin Costner from their popular television series. It has been speculated that a feud between the series creator Taylor Sheridan and the actor led to his exit.
In an interview with The Independent, Grimes addressed the controversy surrounding Costner’s exit, describing the situation as “unfortunate” while expressing understanding for Costner’s decision. Grimes acknowledged the impact of Costner’s departure on the show’s direction, stating, “Whatever happened there is unfortunate if it’s changed anything about how the show was going to unfold.” He further elaborated on Costner’s departure, citing the actor’s commitment to his passion projects as the reason behind his exit. Grimes commented, “I know, [Costner] got busy with his movies that were like passion projects. At a certain point, you gotta do what you gotta do, man; you gotta do what you love.”
The passion project referred to by Grimes is Horizon: An American Saga, a Western film series directed and co-written by Costner. Costner’s involvement in Horizon led to his departure from Yellowstone, as he prioritized completing the project. Horizon Chapters 1 and 2 are slated for release in theaters on June 28, 2024, and August 16, 2024, respectively. In Yellowstone, Grimes portrays Kayce Dutton, the youngest son of Costner’s character, John Dutton III.
Why Did Kevin Costner Exit Yellowstone?
The speculation of a feud between Costner and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan arose following Costner’s exit, attributed primarily to scheduling conflicts and salary negotiations. Costner expressed frustration with the scheduling changes, particularly with the split filming of Season 5 into two halves, which clashed with his commitments to Horizon. “Somewhere along the line, they wanted to change things,” Costner remarked to Deadline, emphasizing the impact on his ability to balance both projects.
As fans await the release of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2, scheduled for November 2024, Grimes and other cast members are expected to return to continue their roles. Alongside Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Brecken Merrill are confirmed to reprise their characters.
Despite his departure, Costner has expressed interest in returning to conclude his character’s storyline. However, uncertainties remain regarding his potential return, with Costner acknowledging the complexities of scheduling amidst the series’ multiple projects. Costner expressed hope for a possible return if circumstances align favorably. However, it emerged that the series will conclude with the fifth season despite hopes for seven seasons.
