Kevin Costner Disappointed Paramount, Studio 101 Didn’t Defend Him From 1-Week Work Allegations For ‘Yellowstone’
Kevin Costner got candid about what really bothered him amid the various allegations and drama involving him and "Yellowstone."
In a recent interview with GQ, the "Bodyguard" actor addressed the previous report that he only wanted to film all eight episodes of "Yellowstone" in one week, which led to a disagreement between him and the producers. Costner clarified that it wasn't the case. Instead, he wanted to help the production do whatever was needed of his character for the show to continue while he went and shot "Horizon." He reportedly offered several solutions, including filming for his free one week.
"The scripts never came. They still haven't shot it. As far as I know. The scripts never came. And so then at one point, they said to me that we don't have an ending or anything," Costner shared. "I said, 'Well, if you want to kill me, if you want to do something like that,' I said, 'I have a week before I start. I'll do what you want to do.' "
Paramount Network's spokesperson denied Costner's account of the conversation.
Costner continued, "And somebody picked up the idea that I only wanted to work one week. And that has been a carryover thing that I have seen in magazines: that I've only wanted to work one week."
The "Postman" actor admitted that he wasn't pleased with how Paramount and Studio 101 handled the situation. He felt they threw him under the bus by not defending him from those allegations.
"My big disappointment is I never heard Paramount or 101 really come to my defense and say, 'That's not true. He was going to do three more seasons,'" Costner said.
"I started off only giving three seasons, ended up doing five and got embroiled in a thing that I don't feel one person over there ever told the story correctly, ever, about what I had done and what I've been willing to do."
Costner admitted that he thought for series co-creator Taylor Sheridan, Paramount and 101 Studios, who were in the midst of developing several other 'Yellowstone' spin-offs and originals, "other shows became more important." He had no issues with it, but he wished the story about him was told differently because he was really bothered by how it turned out.
"That's really f*****g bothered me, that none of them would actually try to set the record straight," he noted.
In February 2023, Deadline published a report claiming there was a disagreement involving Costner over the shooting schedule for the second batch of episodes for "Yellowstone" Season 5. The outlet also included a statement from Paramount announcing that they were plotting a potential franchise extension with Matthew McConaughey.
Costner's lawyer, Marty Singer, shut down the claim that he only wanted to work one week, even calling the allegation a lie.
"The idea that Kevin was only willing to work one week on the second half of season 5 of 'Yellowstone' is an absolute lie," Singer told Puck News. "It's ridiculous -- and anyone suggesting it shouldn't be believed for one second. As everyone who knows anything about Kevin is well aware, he is incredibly passionate about the show and has always gone way above and beyond to ensure its success."
