Kevin Costner Resolves 'Yellowstone' Dispute After Finalizing Divorce

Kevin Costner's legacy in Paramount's hit series "Yellowstone" is not over yet, as 2024 brings with it renewed hope for fans!

The Hollywood veteran began his phenomenal portrayal of John Dutton in the beloved drama series in 2018 and has since played the fictional character for the program's four seasons. Despite receiving a Golden Globe Award for his TV appearance, the entertainer was rumored to be exiting the show in its fifth season.

Costner's departure, reportedly over a scheduling conflict, sent fans into a worried frenzy about his availability to film "Yellowstone." Fortunately, the 68-year-old journey on the show will continue thanks to the newly announced production timetable, a blessing in the California sensation's divorce from Christine Baumgartner.

The two-time Oscar winner's exit from the "Yellowstone" series made waves last December, with sources reporting the TV personality would leave in season 5. Costner allegedly wished to focus on filming the two-part Western movie "Horizon," which would have negatively impacted his appearance on the Paramount series.

The film's first part will debut in June 2024, while the next movie will drop in August 2024. Many were concerned about the 68-year-old's availability to film the "Yellowstone" series, as Paramount had previously announced it would end the program in its fifth season with a two-part release.

The first eight episodes of season 5 aired from November 2022–January 2023. However, the program could not continue production because of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. While the writers' strike ended two months ago, the actors' strike is ongoing.

The suspension of all production activities over the strikes was a blessing in disguise for Costner. According to Variety, the final episodes of "Yellowstone" are rescheduled to air in November 2024, thereby resolving the "McFarland, USA" star's previous clashing commitments to the Paramount series and the Western movie "Horizon."

More good news followed for "Yellowstone" fans as showrunners announced the beloved series will have two spin-off series — "1944" and a contemporary series titled "2024." Like the original show, both programs will be co-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Raving about the upcoming projects, the CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios, Chris McCarthy, said:

"Within five years, we grew 'Yellowstone' from a hit U.S. cable show with five million viewers into a global hit franchise with over 100 million fans around the world and multiple extensions – and we're just getting started."

McCarthy continued saying, "On the heels of '1883' and '1923's' success, our new planned spinoffs, '1944' and '2024,' will take audiences on a thrilling, new, and unexpected journey with the complex and compelling storytelling that has become a hallmark of the franchise and has helped turn it into a worldwide cultural phenomenon – thanks to the creative mastermind of Taylor Sheridan."

Days before the resolution of Costner's appearance on "Yellowstone," the 68-year-old returned to the iconic series's location to sing away his blues following his split from Christine Baumgartner. The entertainer's reunion with his longtime music group, the Modern West band, was captured on the actor's Instagram page.

The "Dances With Wolves" star shared a video compilation of his band's rehearsals and live performances at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Hollywood veteran was all smiles in the clip, happy to be performing again after his rocky divorce.

Costner echoed his appreciation to be back in Yellowstone, thanking fans for attending his shows. Writing on behalf of himself and the Modern West band, the California native's caption read:

"The band and I had a truly incredible couple of nights playing at @milliondollarcowboybar. I always love to be in Jackson Hole, where the hospitality is as legendary as this honky tonk's saddled barstools. Thank you for showing us a good time!"

Surprisingly, the Primetime Emmy Award winner had his ex-wife to thank for the Modern West band's formation. Baumgartner had encouraged her then-husband to continue performing after Costner's hiatus from music. The actor dropped his guitar following the dissolution of his short-lived 90s band, the Raving Boy.

During a 2014 interview, the "Bull Durham" actor reflected on Baumgartner's influence, saying: "I kind of hemmed and hawed about all of it and kind of avoided it. For two years, she kept after me to do it because she saw how much I enjoyed doing it. And finally, I said that I would."

The former couple ended their longtime union in May 2023 when the handbag designer filed for divorce alongside a hefty child support fee. Baumgartner requested nearly $200,000 for the duo's three children, an expensive move that did not go as planned, with the pair settling their differences outside the court.