Kevin Costner is not preparing for a new season of “Yellowstone”. He buttons.
Costner’s John Dutton begins season 5 of “Yellowstone” on Sunday (Paramount Network, 8 EST/PST) showing the tough rancher in his best duds sworn in as governor of Montana. So Dutton will have to get away from his beloved Yellowstone Ranch to truly rule.
“I know how hard it’s going to be for him,” Costner said. “His heart is at the ranch, he’s not trying to find common ground with people. It’s going to be problematic. He has a lane he’s operating in that isn’t as broad as some would like. And he won’t change.”
This sentiment will bring a big sigh of relief to “Yellowstone” devotees. The sixth-generation patriarch of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, portrayed by Costner, remains the unyielding cornerstone of TV’s biggest show, which averaged 10.7 million viewers in three days, up 73% from season 3. That success prompted an entire Western franchise from the Dutton family starting with creator and executive producer Taylor Sheridan, including “1883” and “1923,” due out in December.
“Yellowstone” season 5: Know it all – and see Kevin Costner as Governor of Montana
Rather than change, Dutton will only dig his heels in even deeper. It’s an attitude that kept his sprawling ranch intact despite powerful competing interests, and kept him alive after he attempted murder in the Season 3 finale that still resonates.
Season 4 ended with the family circling the wagons—daughter Beth (Kelly Reilly) even blackmailing her brother, Jamie (Wes Bentley) for cooperation—to combat the growing threat of the ferocious developer. Caroline Warner (Jacki Weaver), who wants the Dutton ranch for a Montana airport proposal.
Season 5 shows Dutton dealing with a more personal tragedy, but also victorious in the race for his governor. The new office will help fights him personal battles, but comes at a cost the actor understands.
“It’s like being in school rather than recess. Where would you rather be?” Costner asks. “He thinks most clearly of his horse.”
Unlike his on-screen counterpart, Costner won’t be dragged into the political arena.
“No, I don’t think there’s a reason for me to show up,” he said quickly, “although I would have liked the people who showed up to have had a broader view and more of a morality on how they see the country evolving. I’m disappointed.”
The actor, 67, has given his high-profile support to candidates from both parties, including 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Pete Buttigieg and Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, the outspoken critic of the former President Donald Trump who lost his August primary election.
Costner does not regret his support.
“Just because you lose doesn’t mean you’re finished, it doesn’t mean you’re wrong,” he said. “I was clear that (Cheney) was probably not going to win his election. But I wanted to let him know, as a citizen, how much I appreciated his courageous and clear-headed stand.”
Costner’s stance drew criticism, even from some of his “Yellowstone” fans.
“I didn’t care how the cookie crumbled, that the people who loved me now didn’t love me anymore,” he says. “Its good.”
The Hollywood maverick, whose career was propelled by ambitious achievements like the Oscar-winning best picture of the 1990s ‘Dances with Wolves’, and overcame disasters like the $175 million epic ‘Waterworld’ in 1995 , keeps an overview of the success of “Yellowstone”. “
“I’m not naive, I’m aware this is a #1 show,” he says. “You’re always happy when something is received well. I’ve had things that I thought were pretty good that weren’t exactly hits. But you can’t be motivated by the ratings; you just appreciate that there is an audience.”
This “Yellowstone” audience has been getting a load of Duttons since Costner led the way. Original patriarch James (Tim McGraw) and his wife, Margaret (Faith Hill), starred in the limited prequel “1883” series. While the December series “1923” stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as Costner’s great-great-uncle and aunt, Jacob and Cara Dutton. These are just two of the projects in the ever-expanding Sheridan Universe (including Sylvester Stallone as a non-Dutton modern mobster in “Tulsa King,” which premieres November 13 on Paramount+).
Costner ignores concerns about the universe expanding too quickly.
“It all depends on the writing,” he says. “What you do has to be on your feet. And that’s what I constantly watch.”
He is ready to participate in the “Yellowstone” race as long as it suits him, refusing to confirm his involvement in a sixth season.
“I was only going to do one season, but I did the same,” he says. “I give everything I can for what I do. But the moment I feel it’s not right, I’ll just walk away.”
Rolling high in Hollywood with success, Costner has his hands full of other projects. He produces, directs, stars and co-writes another western, a passion project he co-financed with his 18-year-old wife, Christine Baumgartner.
“Horizon” is a sprawling look at the settlement of the American West (with 170 speaking parts) that he’s been pondering for 15 years. “And it was time for me to do it.”
He intends to turn it into a four-part film series, with the first theatrical release next year.
On Sunday morning, Costner spotted the perfect spot in beautiful Moab, Utah. during the filming of the marathon.
“We have many miles to go before sleeping,” he says. “I’m relentless, and there are people who give me their Sunday to go see one more place.”
As Dutton’s new office reminds us, it’s definitely better than a desk job.
“I wouldn’t have done well in the office,” Costner says. “I’m really grateful to be able to find what I love to do. It’s fun to be outside. It’s playtime.”
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