Since the television show Yellowstone aired in 2018, it's been a sleeper hit. While the show isn't as mainstream as, say, Succession, it's carved out a reasonably large niche within the circle of lovers of Western-style dramas.
However, rumors are circulating that the show's days might be numbered. So are these rumors true? And does the franchise have a future outside of its flagship show?
If you want to discover the answer to these questions, you're in the perfect place. In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about the future of Yellowstone. Let's get started!
What Is Yellowstone the Show?
Yellowstone is a show that was created by John Linson and Taylor Sheridan and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. The show centers around Kevin Costner's character John Dutton.
Dutton is a wealthy, borderline tyrannical father that lives and works on a ranch with his four children. A good portion of the show deals with the family drama between the reserved Costner and the children that long for his approval.
However, the meat of the show revolves around ranch life, the wealth it brings, the efforts of the family to keep it, and of course, the modern cowboy hat etiquette everyone exudes.
While Yellowstone might not be as popular with Gen-Z or Millenial audiences, there's no denying it's a hit with the older crowd. The third season of the show drew in a staggering 4.23 million viewers. Now, after five seasons, it looks like the future of the show could be in jeopardy.
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Why Is Kevin Costner Leaving the Series?
The specific reasons Kevin Costner wants to leave Yellowstone all come from rumors. Nothing official has been released yet. However, sources at Deadline seem to think it's due to conflicts in shooting schedules.
Apparently, during the first half of season five, Costner only wanted to shoot for sixty-five days, which he later lowered to fifty days. Now, with the second half of season five on the horizon, Costner only wants to shoot on-set for one week.
It's important to note that this shooting conflict likely isn't personal. The problem is that Costner is currently directing and acting in his new Western project, Horizon. As such, he doesn't have much time for Yellowstone.
Unfortunately, it was revealed that Paramount refused to accept Costner's one-week offer. So unless that offer changes, he will be leaving the series. This puts the network in a difficult position to continue the show.
Want to look like Kevin Costner in the Yellowstone series? The first step is finding the correct hat size. Visit our sizing guide here to get started.
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What Is the Yellowstone Expanded Universe?
Yellowstone has two other IPs, both of which have been successful. First, there was the limited series 1883. This series, which came out in 2021, starred Tim McGraw and Sam Elliot. It helped tell the story of how the Duttons came to own their ranch.
Then, just a few months ago, the prequel show 1923, which featured Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, aired. The show was so successful it's already been renewed for season two.
These two properties show that Yellowstone has many more stories to tell outside of its original premise. Even with Costner potentially leaving, it's not likely that the Yellowstone franchise will go anywhere.
Will Yellowstone Franchise Expand With Matthew McConaughey?
Nothing has yet been confirmed. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew McConaughey is in talks with Paramount and the show's creator to star in a spin-off of the Yellowstone show.
However, it's important to note that this would be a spin-off. That means that Yellowstone as we know it isn't likely to continue without Costner.
The Future of Yellowstone
As of the time of this writing, Yellowstone's future is up in the air. Or rather, Kevin Costner's role in the series is up in the air. Insiders at the Paramount Network seem confident that the series will continue in one way or another.
However, Costner's character is critical to the story. As such, unless there is an agreement between Kevin Costner and Paramount Network, it's likely the franchise will change gears, either with another spin-off or a major rewrite.
Regardless, we look forward to spending more time in the thrilling Western universe that this show has helped create.
Indeed, this was likely a strategy that Costner used the whole. The fact that the show's about to end naturally is a powerful negotiating tool. Unfortunately, it seems like the network will need to take the bait.
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How to Find Hats Like the Kind Featured On Yellowstone
If you've been watching Yellowstone, odds are you've pictured yourself in an authentic cowboy hat. The fantastic news is that you don't need to be a professional rancher to wear a great cowboy hat.
The internet makes it easy to find a genuine rancher hat. Just make sure you steer clear of mass-produced cowboy hats. Not only do these look inauthentic, but they also don't last long. Either they'll lose their shape and look silly, or they'll fall apart entirely.
Instead, consider going with hatmakers that hand-make everything they touch. If you need some suggestions for places to shop for cowboy hats online, you can't go wrong with these five options. We hope you'll also keep American Hat Makers in mind.
Here at American Hat Makers, we pride ourselves on offering authentic cowboy hats like those found in Yellowstone. Explore the difference that handcrafted quality can make.