All About Kevin Costner’s ‘Moral Death’ Clause for His ‘Yellowstone’ Character John Dutton

The drama surrounding Kevin Costner’s exit from Yellowstone it is still running.

According to Puck News, Costner’s contract included a “moral death” clause. This stipulation, though unusual, suggests that Costner had influence over how his character John Dutton could be killed off the show.

The report claims that Costner, 68, had a long list of demands that included an increased salary, reduced shooting schedule and the right to influence creator Taylor Sheridan’s scripts. Additionally, the outlet claimed that Costner’s reps were “begging” Sheridan, 53, and Paramount to bring him back for Season 5B, as well as possibly Seasons 6 and 7.

Paramount representatives did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

‘Yellowstone’ season unlikely to air this summer amid reported production delays, Kevin Costner departure

Costner stars as John Dutton in the Paramount Network contemporary western drama since 2018. His efforts on the series have earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award in 2023.

Success from Yellowstone spawned an entire franchise with multiple spinoffs including in 1883hosted by real-life couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Presley Ann/Getty

Rumors of Costner’s departure first surfaced in May, with speculation that Matthew McConaughey would replace him. But Paramount Network later confirmed it Yellowstone will end after the second half of its fifth season, which was set to premiere in November, but a Writers Guild strike caused production delays.

“Yellowstone was the cornerstone on which we launched the entire universe of global hits — from in 1883 to Tulsa Kingand I am convinced ours Yellowstone sequel will be another huge hit, thanks to the brilliant creative mind of Taylor Sheridan and our incredible cast who bring these series to life,” Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement.

“The story of Dutton continues, continues where Yellowstone concludes in another epic story,” added David Glasser, CEO of Studio 101, which is producing the series. “We’re thrilled to bring this new journey to audiences around the world.”

‘Yellowstone’ will end with season 5 in November — and the sequel will debut a month later

The network later confirmed its plans to move forward with the spinoff starring McConaughey, 53.

Costner — who is in the midst of a bitter divorce from estranged wife Christina Baumgartner — has been trying to shoot fewer days Yellowstone to star in his next western epic Horizon. But according to Hollywood Reporter, there are still talks of him returning to film the scenes that bring John’s story to a close.

Kevin Costner attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons in February 2023.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Sheridan said THR was “disappointed” by Costner’s decision to leave the show.

“It shortens the closure of his character,” he said in June. “It doesn’t change it, but it shortens it.”

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Yellowstone is available to stream on Paramount+ and Peacock, with weekly rebroadcasts of the series premiere beginning Sunday at 8:30pm ET on CBS.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education