**Yellowstone Season 5: Taylor Sheridan Drops Shocking News on the Ending**

From the very beginning, John Dutton—played by Kevin Costner—has been the backbone of *Yellowstone*, captivating fans with his powerful presence. But with Costner’s departure, the future of the series has been thrown into uncertainty.

Now, show creator Taylor Sheridan has revealed how he plans to end the saga, offering fans a glimpse into what’s next for the Dutton family and how he’s adjusting the story in light of Costner’s exit.

Costner’s decision to leave *Yellowstone* sent shockwaves through the fanbase and production team alike. Paramount quickly announced that the series would conclude with the second half of Season 5. The main reason behind Costner’s exit?

He wanted to focus on his passion project, *Horizon: An American Saga*, a four-part film series he’s been developing for 35 years. Costner, juggling multiple roles as writer, director, and star, asked for a reduced filming schedule for *Yellowstone*—even proposing to shoot his scenes for the second half of Season 5 in just one week.

This request created tension among the show’s producers and led to rumors of behind-the-scenes chaos.

However, some insiders claim that delays weren’t solely Costner’s fault. They say that when Costner was finally available, Sheridan hadn’t delivered the scripts, and with Sheridan also busy running eight other shows, the scheduling conflicts proved insurmountable.

Sheridan spoke candidly about Costner’s departure, recalling their last conversation where Costner expressed his desire to pursue *Horizon*. Sheridan said he tried to accommodate Costner’s preferred exit date, but ultimately, the network and Costner couldn’t agree.

Sheridan maintains deep respect for Costner’s talent, calling his portrayal of John Dutton “pure gold,” but admits that the legal and contractual disputes clouded what could have been a more amicable farewell.

As for the story’s end, Sheridan revealed that John Dutton was never intended to be present for the series finale. The conclusion of *Yellowstone* remains true to his original vision, even if Costner’s abrupt exit shortens the character’s arc.

Sheridan hinted that Dutton’s fate could involve being “taken to the train station”—a metaphor for being killed off—or perhaps something more dramatic, but he dismissed the idea of a random car crash, insisting on a meaningful narrative closure.

Sheridan also addressed rumors about creative disagreements, noting that Costner had concerns about his character’s direction in earlier seasons. Sheridan reminded Costner that *Yellowstone* was always envisioned as “The Godfather on the largest ranch in Montana,” and that the show’s dark turns were part of its DNA.

Despite the drama, Sheridan insists he had little control over the scheduling or the ultimate decision for Costner to leave. Paramount executives acknowledged the challenges, admitting the series is ending sooner than planned but expressing confidence in the finale.

Meanwhile, Costner’s ongoing divorce from Christine Baumgartner has added personal strain, and court documents confirm he’s no longer under contract with *Yellowstone*—his lucrative $1.3 million-per-episode days are over.

As *Yellowstone* prepares to return for its final episodes, Sheridan hinted that the story could extend beyond the planned six episodes if necessary, emphasizing his commitment to giving the series the ending it deserves.

While the future of John Dutton is sealed, fans can expect a finale that stays true to Sheridan’s vision—and a new chapter for Costner as he pursues his cinematic dreams.