Welp. It’s official. Matthew McConaughey is officially joining the Yellowstone universe, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter.
Back in February, there were rumblings about the prolific Texan engaging in active discussion with creator Taylor Sheridan to front a spin-off property. Essentially a contingency plan of sorts given main series lead, Kevin Costner, had become increasingly uncooperative when it came to the production schedule, threatening to derail Paramount’s gravy train.
“Given that Costner plays John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton clan, this has been a source of frustration for Sheridan and it is understood to be causing morale problems for the other stars of the show,” explained Peter White of Deadline, “Which includes Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, and Gil Birmingham.”
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“It is unclear which of the Yellowstone cast will move over to the McConaughey-led series, but it is expected to include several of the big stars.”
Now, regardless of how the current standoff shaps up, said gravy train will keep chugging along. Or to borrow McConaughey’s own distinctive vernacular, everything’s gonna be alright, alright, alright.
So what will become of Dutton Ranch as we’ve come to know it?
Peter White added: “We’re hearing that it’s quite possible that Yellowstone will end with the second half of the current season, which aired its eighth episode at the beginning of January and is set to return in the summer.”
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And what of Kevin Costner’s tenure as the Dutton family patriarch slash Governor of Montana?
“We have no news to report. Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come,” Paramount Network issued via statement months ago.
“Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we’d love to partner.”
A little more recently, however, Paramount Network President of Development & Production Keith Cox offered a measure of optimism regarding both old Kev and the main series, stating the team is “very confident [Costner]’s going to continue with our show.” But who knows?
Keep an eye out here for all updates on the Yellowstone spin-off series starring Matthew McConaughey.
