Kevin Costner has often been labeled as a challenging personality in Hollywood, with reports of on-set clashes, lawsuits, and walkouts throughout his career, including a recent dispute with Wes Bentley during filming in Utah for the series Yellowstone. Despite this, his longtime agent Rick Nicita offered a different perspective on Costner’s so-called difficult reputation, emphasizing the actor’s confidence rather than outright problematic behavior.
Agent Rick Nicita Provides Insight on Costner’s Working Style
Costner’s career has included notable disputes with prominent figures like Clint Eastwood and Kurt Russell, primarily stemming from creative disagreements. Even close collaborators, such as Jim Wilson, have had heated conflicts with the actor, with one feud escalating to legal action. However, Rick Nicita, who represented Costner from 2002 until his retirement in 2008, challenged the common notion that Costner is simply difficult.
Nicita explained,
“The word difficult gets used a lot.”
He clarified,
“It can mean someone who won’t come out of their trailer, someone who doesn’t know their lines, or someone who is rude. That’s not Kevin. He wanted what he wanted and knew what he wanted, and if he didn’t get it … well, he was never a great compromiser. It’s a firm belief in himself and a confidence that, to some, can play as arrogance.”
Costner’s Close Circle and Professional Relationships
Known for being more reserved than many of his peers, Costner maintains a tight group of associates. Businessman Rod Lake frequently collaborates with him on production matters, while Howard Kaplan, formerly with Price Waterhouse, acts as his trusted advisor. After Nicita’s retirement from CAA in 2008, Costner transitioned his representation to WME, which remains his agency today.
Nicita continues to keep in contact with Costner and shares further thoughts about the actor’s approach.
“Nothing that’s happened surprises me because Kevin firmly believes in himself,”
he said.
“He thinks he can will things into happening because he could, and he did. I don’t think that’s changed. What happened is the circumstances no longer allow for that. I’ve never known him to play the angles — it’s all fast balls down the middle. It’s just that the strike zone has gotten smaller. But I would never write him off.”
Balancing Talent and Temperament in a Long-Standing Career
Kevin Costner’s career embodies a mixture of considerable talent alongside a reputation for being tough to work with, a combination not uncommon among major industry figures. Despite the reported conflicts and challenges, he remains a significant presence in Hollywood, with continued influence both on- and off-screen. His ongoing work on Yellowstone and other projects suggests that while his interpersonal style may be polarizing, his standing as a major star is secure.
