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One week ahead of the first installment of Kevin Costner’s four-part western epic Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1, the actor is officially closing the door on his other multi-part western epic, Yellowstone.
Costner took to Instagram to share the news, expressing that with the heavy amount of production necessary for Horizon, he won’t be returning for the final season of the hit series. “I just want to reach out and let you know that after this long year and a half of working on Horizon and doing all the things that’s required, and thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love,” said Costner. “I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue Season 5b or into the future.”
He continued, sharing, “It was something that really changed me. I loved it, and I know you loved it. I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be returning,” Costner said. “I love the relationship we’ve been able to develop, and I’ll see you at the movies.” Watch Costner’s statement on Instagram below.
Costner’s announcement hours after Yellowstone announced its long-awaited premiere date for the second half of Season 5, which will arrive on November 10th on the Paramount Network.
Costner’s omission from the show was initially reported back in May due to a contract dispute between him and the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan. He further referenced his exit earlier this week on The Howard Stern Show, telling the host he wouldn’t be returning to play main character John Dutton unless “the planets want to align up.” He elaborated: “Which means the storylines, the scripts and then I want to work more than once a year,” Costner said. “And to do that, times have to be set aside for things. When that couldn’t happen that can’t work for me anymore.”
Horizon: An American Saga, Costner’s new film that he’s been helming for over two decades, is set to open in theaters on June 28th. Costner has put blood and sweat into the project, but more so than that, he’s put his own money into it — The Hollywood Reporter wrote earlier this month that Costner spent $38 million of his own money on Horizon, and as of early June, the film is only expected to open to the tune of $12 million at the box office.
Beyond Yellowstone, Sheridan is reportedly developing two new spin-off series, including a present day sequel with Matthew McConaughey in talks to star.
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