Kevin Costner's New Project Might Be A Stab In The Back For Yellowstone
Costner might be mulling his exit from one western, but it seems like he has already found himself another.
The History Channel has ordered a slew of new documentaries produced by such Hollywood A-lists like Morgan Freeman, Bradley Cooper and Kevin Costner.
This has been revealed by the network ahead of the 2023/2024 Upfronts. This news couldn't come on more curious time, considering the recent uncertainty over the Yellowstone series' future.
The History Channel is part of A+ E Networks Group, which seems to be very invested in its future documentary series, as it promised advertisers 2,500 hours of multiplatform content in 2023/24 (up 500 hours from what the network promised last year).
And apparently A+ E is determined to attach only the top faces to its projects. Apart from Costner, Freeman and Cooper it will also bring in Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, and many more, for its upcoming programming over several channels
Costner will host and executive produce an eight-part documentary series known at the moment under its working title Kevin Costner's The West.
The series will focus on the Wild West period's impact on American history. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will also serve as an EP.
As Kevin Costner is currently leading Paramount Network's flagship drama Yellowstone, could the dispute behind the scenes at Yellowstone be coming to a head? Will the western hit continue as we know it?
In February, Deadline reported that Yellowstone star Kevin Costner was only available for one week of shooting for the second half of season five.
It has also been rumored that Matthew McConaughey is set to replace Costner, in one way or another.
These facts were although vehemently denied by attorney Marty Singer, who represents Costner. Other parties involved in the production of Yellowstone seem to be sticking to the same stance – that Costner is not going anywhere from Yellowstone.
Sure, it is not uncommon for actors to star in separate projects simultaneously, even being a lead in more than one show/movie at a time.
But might that be that History Channels docu-series is Costner's safety net, after his departure from Yellowstone happens?
While The West is officially confirmed now, the future of Yellowstone is unclear, as it's not yet renewed past current season 5.