The Real Reason Kevin Costner Skipped ‘Yellowstone’ PaleyFest Event
On Saturday, Yellowstone fans got fooled when they spent upwards of $300 for PaleyFest tickets only to discover that the A-team did not show up. This includes the show’s creator Taylor Sheridan, and its biggest star, Kevin Costner.
Yellowstone PaleyFest Event Was Huge Disappointment
PaleyFest was meant to be a huge event for Yellowstone fans. There was a dream Q&A panel that was going to answer fan’s questions and share insights into their favorite series.
Billed was the show’s creator Taylor Sheridan, and the main star Costner, who portrays John Dutton. In addition, the main cast of the hit Paramount series was also supposed to be there. This includes Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton), Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler), Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton), Kelsey Asbille (Monica Long), Wes Bentley (Jamie Dutton), Gil Birmingham (Thomas Rainwater), and Jacki Weaver (Caroline Warner). Lastly, executive producer David Glasser was also billed to be part of the Yellowstone panel.
Instead, the show’s stars that did appear included Mo Brings Plenty (Mo), Dawn Olivieri (Sarah Atwood), Josh Lucas (young John Dutton), and Wendy Monitz (Lynette Perry). In addition to actors, a Paramount executive, Keith Cox, the President of Scripted at MTV Entertainment Studios, joined the other four on stage.
When the replacements were introduced and walked onto the stage, there was a gasp. Angry, some people immediately walked out. However, the remaining audience was politely enthusiastic about the replacements.
Yellowstone Fans Were Told Last Minute That Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner, Main Stars Were Replaced
There was no warning that there would be such a dramatic change in the list of stars in the Q&A panel. The press was given a program with the changes right before the event began. Shocked, fans shared comments on articles and social media revealing that they paid a lot for tickets. Many revealed they drove long distances, and that this event was an expensive treat.
Quite a few steered their anger toward Kevin Costner. For two months now, all Yellowstone headlines have been about Costner’s lack of availability to film the final six Season 5 episodes. There has been a lot of talk about a standoff between Costner and Sheridan. The main contention is Paramount’s claim that Costner is only available for about a week to film.
The insane drama has been chronicled in writer Matthew Bellini’s detailed article in Puck. This detailed piece reveals all of the tensions and issues between the star and the creator. This feud is not new as there has been a long-standing animosity between Costner and Sheridan.
Yet, why didn’t the rest of the main cast show up?
There was no explanation until now. Finally, someone has spoken up. That person is Kevin Costner.
Kevin Costner Explains Why He Skipped PaleyFest Event Featuring Yellowstone Stars
On Wednesday, US Magazine reported that “Dutton drama” was why Kevin Costner did not show up to the PaleyFest event in Hollywood on April Fool’s Day. According to a source, tensions between the Field Of Dreams star and Taylor Sheridan, the Yellowstone creator are the reason for his cancelation. Revealing that “It’s been an ongoing power play between them.”
The ongoing issues between Kevin, who’s also an executive producer, and Taylor is what led to the last-minute cancelation.
Furthermore, the source revealed that Costner did not want to appear “inauthentic” during the PaleyFest Q&A.
Kevin didn’t want to come across as unauthentic and he would have if he was forced to dodge uncomfortable questions about their working relationship. It seemed like a lose-lose situation for him. It just wasn’t worth it to Kevin.
In other words, Kevin was not going to lie or avoid answering questions from an attentive audience of loyal fans.
The Yellowstone Off-Camera Drama Is ‘Far From Over’
Kevin Costner’s source shared more information on the animosity between the actor and Taylor Sheridan. First, they revealed that is “no secret” that the two “butt heads.” This has been confirmed by other sources.
From the beginning, the veteran actor was unafraid to speak his mind to the Paramount showrunner. In return, Costner nearly left the show a couple of seasons ago when his character was shot. That left it open for Costner’s departure if things did not get resolved.
Now, they are at a standstill. Costner has been accused of only being available for a week, while Costner is reportedly upset that Sheridan has too many projects on his plate. He has nearly a dozen projects with Paramount. Unfortunately, this also means that Yellowstone scrips have been late, and production dates have changed.
Therefore, it is no surprise that things are not resolved, and the source has confirmed this.
It’s safe to say that the drama behind the scenes is far from over.
There are new questions surrounding the future of the series “Yellowstone” and the conclusion of its fifth season amid reports of internal shake-ups, behind the scenes fallout and scheduling conflicts with the show’s star Kevin Costner. @jacobsoboroff reports. pic.twitter.com/PiCTt59VU2
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 5, 2023
When Will Kevin Costner And Cast Film Remaining Season 5 Episodes?
They should start filming the remainder of the Yellowstone Season 5 episodes this summer. However, it looks like the drama needs to subside before that happens. Moreover, if they do manage to film this summer, that means the new episodes would arrive at the end of the year.
Yellowstone fans, what do you think of Kevin Costner’s reason for not showing up to PaleyFest?
