‘Yellowstone’ Stars Seek Hefty Pay Raise For New Spinoff
In typical Yellowstone fashion, three of the show’s stars are locked in a figurative standoff with Paramount over their desire for a pay raise.
Since Yellowstone first premiered in 2018, the show has enjoyed massive success with a dedicated fan base. According to Entertainment Weekly, the show’s Season 5 premiere in 2022 saw over 12 million same-day viewers.
The show follows the Dutton family, who control the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. But making their way to the top hasn’t been easy, or clean, for the family. The Duttons face constant pressure from those who wish to take the family down. Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Luke Grimes.
Despite its success, Yellowstone has been mired by behind-the-scenes struggles. Most notably, a well-known feud between Yellowstone creator Tyler Sheridan and Costner altered the show’s future, as Costner decided to exit the show amid “creative differences.”
In another dramatic complication, it appears that three of Yellowstone’s stars are now standing their ground over their salaries.
Yellowstone Stars Demand A Pay Increase
According to Puck, a Hollywood insider newsletter, Reilly, Hauser, and Grimes are all looking to cash in. The stars have been engaged in negotiations to greatly increase their pay for Yellowstone’s upcoming 2024 spinoff.
After the news that Costner would not be returning for a potential Season 6, Paramount shifted focus on its modern-day spinoff. Although originally envisioned as a stand-alone series, producers looked to include Reilly, Hauser, and Grimes in order to act as a “bridge” for viewers. However, the actors are using that leverage to seek a hefty payday.
As reported by Puck, Reilly had originally sought a salary of $1.5 million per episode to appear in the spinoff. She has since altered her demand to $1.2 million per episode. Similar to his co-star, Hauser is looking to rake in $1.25 million per episode. That would be nearly double the salary that he currently makes per episode. While Grimes is also seeking a raise, his demands are reported to be more modest.
The Ever-Expanding World Of Yellowstone
In an attempt to capitalize on Yellowstone’s popularity, Paramount has already produced two separate spinoffs. 1883 starred Tim McGraw, Sam Elliot, and Faith Hill. The miniseries followed the origins of the Dutton family’s rise to power. 1923 followed the Dutton family as they continued their expansion in the West. The series starred Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.
According to Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, the Yellowstone universe is nowhere close to coming to an end. In a May 2023 statement, McCarthy reflected on the show’s success. “Within five years, we grew Yellowstone from a hit U.S. cable show with five million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans around the world and multiple extensions — and, we’re just getting started,” he said.
While looking ahead to the future, McCarthy laid out the groundwork for Yellowstone’s new spinoffs. “On the heels of 1883 and 1923’s success, our new planned spinoffs, 1944 and 2024, will take audiences on a thrilling, new and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become a hallmark of the franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon — thanks to the creative mastermind of Taylor Sheridan.”
Will you be tuning in to watch 2024? Let us know in the comments section.
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