A confrontation involving Kevin Costner erupted on the set of the Western TV series Yellowstone, reportedly leaving one co-star upset during filming. This incident shed light on tensions behind the scenes amid Costner’s star status and shifting creative control on the show.
Details Behind the On-Set Clash with Wes Bentley
The Hollywood Reporter has disclosed that Costner, who stars as John Dutton and also serves as an executive producer on Yellowstone, clashed with fellow actor Wes Bentley while filming a scene in Utah. During the shoot with Bentley and Kelly Reilly, Costner unsuccessfully pressured Bentley to abandon Taylor Sheridan’s original script and follow his direction instead. Bentley pushed back, emphasizing his commitment to Sheridan’s vision rather than a production dominated by Costner’s influence.
A source described the moment:
“Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him,”
and added,
“No fists were thrown, but they were in each other’s faces, pushing and shoving and just getting hot until they had to be separated.”
Witnesses reported that Kelly Reilly was brought to tears by the heated exchange, leading to a temporary pause in production.
Further Strains Between Costner and Yellowstone’s Creator
Following the altercation, difficulties continued between Costner and Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone’s creator. Their feud extended publicly during the first half of Season 5, complicated by Costner’s parallel work on directing Horizon: An American Saga. Scheduling conflicts and disagreements over salary terms eventually led to Costner’s exit from Yellowstone in June 2024.
Kevin Costner portrayed the powerful ranch owner John Dutton, a role that earned him the 2023 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama. His departure marks a significant change for the flagship show on the Paramount Network.
Impact of Costner’s Other Projects and Future Prospects
Aside from Yellowstone, Costner’s four-part Western film project Horizon: An American Saga has encountered setbacks. The first chapter, released in June 2024, received mixed critical feedback and generated only $38 million worldwide, falling short of expectations. As a result, Warner Bros. removed Chapter 2 from its planned August 2024 release with no new date announced. Meanwhile, the third and fourth chapters remain under development.
This combination of on-set tensions and disappointing box office performance adds uncertainty to Costner’s evolving career path and raises questions about Yellowstone’s direction without its long-standing lead. How the series adapts without Costner and how Horizon will proceed remain key developments to watch.
