It sounds like Kevin Costner might be stepping down from Yellowstone, but there's one perfect actor to take his place as John Dutton. While Costner had prior experience with TV thanks to miniseries Hatfields & McCoys, his run on Yellowstone has been a shock success. The show has lasted for five seasons thus far, and while reviews have been mixed - with some dismissing it as a silly soap opera - Yellowstone only ever seems to grow in popularity. Creator Taylor Sheridan has crafted Yellowstone multiple spin-offs too, including the acclaimed prequel 1883 and its sequel 1923.
Like the Yellowstone ranch itself, Sheridan's expanded universe is becoming something of an empire. Successful as the show is, recent reports success that Costner might be exiting Yellowstone. The actor is currently mounting a four-part Western movie series called Horizon, and reportedly only wanted to spend a week filming his scenes for the second half of Yellowstone's fifth season. This request was rejected by Paramount, and Sheridan is said to be developing a further spinoff that will introduce a new character played by Matthew McConaughey that will feature Yellowstone's other major players.
Josh Lucas Is Yellowstone's Best Dutton Replacement
This could be a very public negotiating tactic on Paramount's part to get Costner to commit, but either way, it appears the actor wants to move on. Considering the popularity of the franchise itself, the brand could still survive parent series Yellowstone ending. That said, there's another option for replacing Dutton that doesn't involve a new character. Beginning with season 1, Josh Lucas was introduced in flashbacks as the young John Dutton. These scenes explored key points in the Dutton family history, including the horse riding accident that killed his wife.
There may not be a huge resemblance between Costner and Lucas, but the actor embodied the spirit of the older star. Lucas is also a favorite with Yellowstone viewers and made a belated return during season 5 after a long absence. If Costner does leave, the series could upgrade Lucas to the older Dutton role, and while it might take a few episodes for viewers to adjust, he's already proven perfect for the role. Lucas would have to be aged up though, as he's currently only a few years older than co-stars Kelly Reilly and Wes Bentley, who play John Dutton's children. That said, it's a solid option.
Will Costner Really Leave Yellowstone?
Of course, the question becomes will Costner really depart Yellowstone? The show has greatly revived interest in his career, and he's certainly well compensated for his time. However, Costner comes from the movie world, where he's never starred in a sequel to his own work. After five seasons playing the same role and an epic directing project of his own to focus on, Costner may feel it's time to move on from Yellowstone. John Dutton may loom large in the franchise, but even if Costner left, it will continue regardless - as the McConaughey spinoff might end up proving.