Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner may return as John Dutton in Yellowstone Season 5, Part 2, despite previous plans for his departure.
– Reports suggest this could disrupt the balance of the show given finalized scripts and planned narrative away from Costner’s character.
– Costner’s potential return could take attention away from other significant plot lines and characters.
– A brief cameo by Costner in the series could delay Yellowstone and lead to unintended plot complications.
Fans of Yellowstone were left in shock following Kevin Costner’s confirmation that he would not return as John Dutton in the final episodes of the show’s fifth season. However, according to a recent report, the actor has now hinted at a potential comeback, a move that could deeply impact the narrative of the popular show.
Costner’s U-Turn Raises Eyebrows
Following a massive fall out due to the SAG-AFTRA contract disagreement between Costner and Taylor Sheridan, the series creator, it was ascertained that Costner would not return for the Yellowstone finale. Seemingly changing his stance, Costner now intends to return, potentially heightening tensions between him and Sheridan and throwing the series’ planning into chaos. But is he seriously contemplating a comeback?
The Return of John Dutton?
Costner’s intention to return to Yellowstone Season 5, part 2, to conclude John Dutton’s story is not entirely straightforward, despite a report by Puck News suggesting his express desire to do so. Interestingly, filming is set to commence shortly, and the final slate of episode scripts has already been finalized, which could complicate any potential changes to accommodate Costner’s return.
It remains uncertain whether Sheridan would be amenable to revising his scripts to allow Costner a saluting appearance in the series finale.
Is A Brief Return the Best Option?
With the scripts already written and a vision for the story without Costner’s character, it appears unlikely for the actor to make more than a brief appearance in the final episodes. Importantly, even such an appearance could disrupt the series’ flow, making it hard to maintain continuity between previous episodes and the current season.
Potential Impact on the Show’s Narrative
Costner’s abrupt departure presented a steep challenge for the show’s writers and Sheridan, given John Dutton’s integral role in the series’ major storylines. Costner returning to wrap up the series, despite possible viable alternate solutions, might not yield the same impact.
Worse still, a brief return or cameo by Costner could undermine the main plot. Sheridan could be compelled to focus on John Dutton, potentially leaving other narratives and characters in the shadows.
Moreover, bringing Costner back could imperil Sheridan’s expanding roster of television shows. Undoubtedly, the actor’s return would imply that the series cannot proceed without him – a notion contradicted by the successful spin-off series born from Yellowstone’s sprawling cast and compelling Western drama. Hence, it might be ill-advised to compromise other characters’ story arcs for a transient return.
The Freedom to Focus on Other Characters
If Costner does not return, or only makes a limited reappearance, characters like Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser) will hopefully receive the attention they deserve. Anything less may come across as a lackluster attempt to bank on the show’s success while failing to honor the narrative built around Costner’s character.
Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding Costner’s potential return, fans can continue enjoying Yellowstone on Peacock and Paramount+. The question remains: Will Kevin Costner’s wish to return as John Dutton actually benefit or deter Yellowstone’s final season? Only time will tell.
