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Hear me out: I have a wild theory that Kevin Costner might actually return for the final episodes of Yellowstone

Umito November 7, 2024

GOOD, Yellow stone fans, we are just days away from the long-awaited season 5B premiere on the TV schedule 2024and I feel nervous. THE latest episodes of Yellow stone (for now) have been shrouded in secrecy, and a big topic on everyone’s minds is how the series will be written. Kevin Costner. However, after over a year of reports and rumors regarding John Dutton’s actor departure and news of his non-return, I’m here to present a wild theory: what if Costner returns as the patriarch from Dutton?

Now, I know this is a crazy thing to say, and there’s a very good chance it won’t happen, but let’s put on our tin foil cowboy hats for a second. I fully realize, Kevin Costner said he wouldn’t come back se. However, hear me out, I think it’s possible they’ve figured something out, and we’re about to see him on our screens as John Dutton one last time.

Kevin Costner leaning against his hand while sitting at the table in Yellowstone. — (Image credit: Photo: Emerson Miller for Paramount Network)

The level of secrecy Yellowstone Season 5B is shrouded in is suspicious

I’m not kidding, the secret about the Yellow stone together was at Marvel levels of intense. In a video posted by the show on YouTube, the actors noted that their scripts were redacted and that they were not allowed to know much beyond their own scenes. Sitting next to co-star Wendy Moniz, who plays Senator Lynelle Perry, Sarah Atwood actress Dawn Olivieri explained:

I don’t know what she did, she doesn’t know what I did, we can’t tell each other.

Then, during an interview with THRdirector Christina Voros said that when it came to the level of secrecy on set, even people who worked on Marvel projects found it crazy:

No, this was new territory for all of us. We have people on the team who have worked in the Marvel Universe and they thought what we were doing was crazy.

She even said that even though the Dutton family and department heads know the whole story, some cast and crew members won’t fully know what’s happening in Season 5B until it premieres. This level of secrecy must this means they are hiding big secrets. And right now, the biggest secret I can think of is that Costner is back.

A screenshot of Kevin Costner looking serious in Yellowstone.

(Image credit: Paramount Network)

Yellowstone director wouldn’t say Kevin Costner isn’t in it

Alright, this is where things get very suspicious. In the same THR interview, Christina Voros was directly asked about the role John Dutton would play even though, as far as we know, Kevin Costner will not be returning. Season 5A ends with John facing impeachment, and without the news of the actor’s departure, one would assume that the patriarch would still play a significant role in the series. In response to this question about John’s presence, the director said:

His presence is an integral part. I think saying more could potentially compromise all the script writing work! (Laughs) But I think that’s why people are like, “Really, right?” Where is he, where is he not? this is because he is the patriarch and his presence is an essential element of the story. John Dutton is still central.

Then things got even crazier when Voros was asked, “How was the set different without Kevin Costner?” This is a question that I suppose would deserve a simple answer, but we didn’t get one, as she said:

I don’t know if we were without him. I don’t know!

It was this quote that made me believe my own wild theory. Why the hell would she react that way if Costner wasn’t involved at all? I guess we’ll find out on November 10th, but for now there are other reasons why I think this return could happen.

Kevin Costner as John Dutton wearing a cowboy hat and Yellowstone vest, leaning to his left.

(Image credit: Paramount)

Apparently no one has seen the premiere of 5B yet

Generally, in the days leading up to the premiere of a show, and particularly one as prestigious and anticipated as Yellow stonecriticisms and reactions come from critics and journalists. So far this hasn’t happened and the premiere is just a few days away.

Watching the cast interviews, everything is pretty general and details about what’s coming are also kept close to the chest. Also, when asked about Costner, the question, as you saw above, is never given a simple answer from what I’ve seen.

So between that and the lack of reviews or anything, I wonder what they’re hiding. Granted, as of this writing, we’re still five days away from the premiere, so these could still happen. However, it’s strange that we’ve heard absolutely nothing from people who would typically receive the episodes in advance. This level of caution implies that something huge is happening in the premiere, and a Costner return would fall into that category.

Kevin Costner as John Dutton standing in front of a window with a stern look.

(Image credit: Paramount)

Kevin Costner is often present in the trailer for season 5B

When I saw the Yellow stone Season 5B trailer, I didn’t think much of Costner’s presence. I thought it was old footage, and I thought it made sense that they would cut old scenes or flashbacks of him, even though the actor wouldn’t be part of the season.

However, after discovering all the points above, I begin to wonder if the revelation is hidden. Maybe he was right in front of us the whole time.

Obviously, these images could be archival or unused lines and moments from old seasons. However, the more I learn about what’s to come, the more I’m starting to think it might be present-day Mr. Costner playing John Dutton.

John Dutton wearing sunglasses and hat in Yellowstone

(Image credit: Paramount Network)

Kevin Costner said he would return ‘under the right circumstances’

Famously, on June 20, 2024, Kevin Costner took to Instagram to let his fans know that he would not be returning to Yellow stone and he would concentrate on his Horizon movies. However, when he was on the Today show three days before this, the actor made a comment that made it seem like the the door was not completely closed on John Duttonhe said:

I supported this thing and I loved it. That was really important to me. I would love to go back there under the right circumstances, I think we all do. For me, it really has to be the right circumstances. Saying there’s a chance, there’s always a chance. I love this stuff. You must be very clear about this.

He didn’t say “no”, very intentionally, and I think that’s important. However, he came out a few days later to make the news of his departure official. But wait, there’s more.

While speaking to ET in September, two months after announcing his departure, he he was asked if he could play John again. He explained that the story could obviously continue with his character’s children as the main focus. However, he also shared his views on a possible return, saying:

Who knows, some things tend to go backwards. You know, I didn’t see that trail of dust coming towards me. But I was always open to that when I started. Five seasons was a lot for us. And I think this story is not over.

Well, well, Mr. Costner, based on all of this, it looks like you might come back…

I want to clarify that if he comes back, I don’t think it will be for an entire season. I think it would take just an episode or two to wrap up his character’s story. It’s because he was busy filming Horizon and the actors answered questions about how their characters might be affected by the loss of John, albeit cryptically. So if Costner returns, I think it would simply be to bring closure to his character’s story.

But obviously this is all just a theory I concocted and I don’t really know what’s going to happen. We’ll actually know if Kevin Costner returns when Yellow stone premieres November 10 on the Paramount Network at 8 p.m. ET. In the meantime, I’ll be sitting here rewatching old seasons with a Peacock Subscription and theorize about whether or not we’ve seen the last of John Dutton.

Apre-salomemanzo

Apre-salomemanzo

Hear me out: I have a wild theory that Kevin Costner might actually return for the final episodes of Yellowstone

The level of secrecy Yellowstone Season 5B is shrouded in is suspicious

Umito

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Hear me out: I have a wild theory that Kevin Costner might actually return for the final episodes of Yellowstone

The level of secrecy Yellowstone Season 5B is shrouded in is suspicious

Umito

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