Harvey Weinstein recently stated that he played a pivotal role in the success of Paramount Network’s Yellowstone, calling it one of his final accomplishments before his incarceration. Speaking for the first time from Rikers Island, where he awaits trial on rape and sexual assault charges, Weinstein defended his influence on the project and the broader achievements of The Weinstein Company.
Weinstein Defends His Role in Yellowstone’s Success
In a rare interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Weinstein disputed his brother Robert Weinstein’s claim that he ruined their film and television enterprise, The Weinstein Company. According to Harvey, he was responsible for multiple hits that saved the company from failure.
“I destroyed the company? He destroyed the company,”
Weinstein said sharply.
“Look at his movies — one disaster after another. I saved the company! The King’s Speech, The Artist, Silver Linings Playbook. Hit after hit after hit.”
Weinstein further asserted that one of his last major contributions was recruiting Taylor Sheridan to work on Yellowstone. Despite Sheridan’s initial wish to cast Robert Redford, Weinstein insisted on Kevin Costner, a decision he credits for the show becoming a massive success.
“People don’t know this, but one of the last things I did was bring Taylor Sheridan to Yellowstone. Sheridan wanted to cast Robert Redford, but I said, ‘You need to get Kevin Costner.’ And it became a massive hit.”
He emphasized that the scandal surrounding his legal troubles overshadowed these achievements.
“But then this happened, and people forget,”
he added.
Impact of Scandal on Family and Career
Weinstein acknowledged that the accusations against him had severely damaged his brother Robert’s career as well. He suggested that Robert hoped to revive his own professional life by publicly blaming him but believed this would not happen due to the stigma surrounding their family name.
“He just hopes that by shitting on me he can go back to work. But sadly for him, they will never let him go back to work. He’s stuck there with me,”
Weinstein claimed.
Controversial Apology and Comments on Abuse Allegations
While apologizing to the women who accused him, Weinstein maintained that he did not commit sexual assault or rape, instead admitting to infidelity and secrecy within his marriage. He stated that his main wrongdoing was cheating on his wife and trying to keep this hidden from her and from Disney, his employer.
“The thing I was doing wrong was not sexual assault. It was cheating on my wife. I was desperate to keep that secret from her. I did not want Disney to find out. I did everything to protect myself from that kind of scandal,”
he said.
Weinstein acknowledged the positive effects of the #MeToo movement for victims of exploitation and abuse but expressed frustration over being the focal point of the campaign.
“I don’t feel good about that at all. When Alyssa Milano said ‘Me too,’
he explained,
she didn’t mean #MeToo about Harvey. She said Me too, and then everybody said #MeToo about me. Every woman I was with, every friend that I had. It was a march to the money pile,”
he said.
Broader Context and Future Implications
Harvey Weinstein’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions surrounding his legacy and the fallout from his criminal charges. His assertion regarding Taylor Sheridan Yellowstone success highlights how he views his industry contributions, despite his disgrace. The controversy remains a significant chapter in Hollywood’s reckoning with sexual misconduct.
The implications for his brother Robert and The Weinstein Company appear bleak, as the scandal continues to define their public perception. Meanwhile, Yellowstone’s rising popularity under Taylor Sheridan and the casting of Kevin Costner confirm the series as a major cultural hit.
As Weinstein awaits trial, his claims and reflections add to the complex narrative of one of Hollywood’s most notorious figures, the impact of the #MeToo movement, and the enduring influence of the Yellowstone franchise.
