What's next for Taylor Sheridan as Yellowstone could end THIS season
Can the King of Western TV pull off ANOTHER star-studded hit? As Kevin Costner looks set to END Yellowstone this season – how its real-life cowboy creator Taylor Sheridan is already plotting a big-budget follow-up with fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey
- Costner, 68, has reportedly requested to ‘limit’ filming time on hit drama series
- Paramount execs said to be seeking to find a way to continue without lead actor
- A new show is on the scene, with Matthew McConaughey rumored to be in talks
Following the success of Yellowstone and numerous prequel spin-offs, Taylor Sheridan has proven himself to be the ‘King of Western TV’, delivering hit after hit for Paramount+ in recent years.
However, as news spreads that his most popular series might be coming to an abrupt end with the finale of its current season, all eyes are on the showrunner to see if the 52-year-old can work his magic again without his flagship series.
Despite the show’s incredible ratings, it has been reported that lead actor Kevin Costner is seeking to limit his time filming in order to work on his own Western passion project.
The actor’s time on Yellowstone may now end with the second half of its current season, which aired its eighth episode in early January, and is set to return in the summer.
Any changes in Costner’s role would have a massive impact on how the show tells the story of the Duttons, a family who runs the largest ranch in the US.
Man of the moment: Taylor Sheridan, 52, is continuing to build his TV empire after signing a $200 million pact with Paramount+ in February 2021, which runs through to 2028
Unexpected: His flagship series Yellowstone might end this summer after lead star Kevin Costner, 68, reportedly asked to cut down his filming requirements
It has been claimed by Deadline that Paramount Network executives are now seeking for Sheridan to find a way to continue without Costner, 68.
Though many viewers would be devastated to no longer enjoy the Golden Globe-winning performance of Costner as patriarch John Dutton, Sheridan may well take this as a chance to prove that his TV empire is bigger than its stars.
Indeed, his sprawling Yellowstone TV universe continues to grow after it was revealed that the actor-turned-screenwriter is looking to create two more prequel series following the success of 1883 and 1923.
The new shows would reportedly be set at the Dutton family ranch in the 1940s and the 1960s, proving that Sheridan still has ample inspiration when it comes to expanding the stories of the Dutton family.
Indeed, it’s also being reported that Hollywood superstar Matthew McConaughey, 53, could be the latest big name that Sheridan brings in to join his TV empire in the upcoming modern-day spin-off, 6666.
Elsewhere, Sheridan is also enjoying success with many of his other projects outside of the Yellowstone universe. His show Tulsa King starring Sylvester Stallone and the drama series Mayor of Kingston starring Jeremy Renner have both been well received by viewers and critics alike.
These are just some of many projects created by the writer-director as part of his reported $200 million pact with Paramount+, which he signed in February 2021 and runs through to 2028.
Here, DailyMail.com reveals how Taylor Sheridan seems set to keep his TV universe going strong – even if Kevin Costner leaves the Yellowstone franchise.
Moving forward with Matthew McConaughey? Sheridan is eyeing up the Oscar-winner for his latest Yellowstone spin-off
Game-changer: Showrunner Sheridan (left) is said to have been irked by Costner’s proposal (pictured together at Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in 2018)
Main man: Costner recently won a Golden Globe for his performance as John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton clan in the hit television show
Major changes seem set to come to Yellowstone after it was reported that Kevin Costner, 68, asked to further limit the number of days he spends shooting the program.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say Costner had already limited himself to 65 days of shooting and then wanted to shoot for only 50 days for the first half of its current season.
But for the second half of the fifth season, sources told Deadline, the actor only wanted to spend a week filming.
The request has been made because Costner is now directing and starring in his own multipart western epic, Horizon, which he co-wrote with Jon Baird.
Unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations said Paramount network executives have declined the star’s offer — and are instead moving forward with a new spin-off series starring Matthew McConaughey.
The True Detective actor is said to be already in negotiations with the network for a new show that would air on Paramount Network and stream exclusively on Paramount+.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Paramount Network would neither confirm nor deny the news, only saying: ‘Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone and we hope that’s the case for a longtime to come.
‘Thanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan, we are always working on franchise extensions of this incredible world he has built.’
Next big thing? Paramount Network executives are now said to be eager to move forward with a modern spin-off series starring Matthew McConaughey, 53 (pictured in 2014)
Heavy hitter: The actor (pictured with co-star Woody Harrelson) enjoyed critical acclaim during his time playing Rust Cohle in the 2013 crime drama series, True Detective
Smart move: Landing McConaughey would continue Sheridan’s trend of pulling in big name stars for his shows
The spokesperson added: ‘Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent, with whom we’d love to partner.’
Not much is known yet about the new series, which currently has the working title 6666.
A short description on IMDB reads: ‘Founded when Comanches still ruled West Texas, no ranch in America is more steeped in the history of the West than the 6666. Still operating as it did two centuries before, and encompassing an entire county, the 6666 is where the rule of law and the laws of nature merge in a place where the most dangerous thing one does is the next thing.
‘The 6666 is synonymous with the merciless endeavor to raise the finest horses and livestock in the world, and ultimately, where world class cowboys are born and made.’
Landing McConaughey in the lead role would likely see the actor deliver a performance that could reach the same level of critical acclaim as his time playing Rust Cohle in the crime drama, True Detective.
Time will tell if Sheridan would be able to bring out yet another award-winning turn from the respected actor.
Expanding the franchise: The TV king has continues to enjoy success with spin-off shows such as 1883 and 1923
Hit maker: Sheridan has expanded upon the world of Yellowstone with prequel series 1883 and 1923 (pictured here in December 2021)
Sheridan (left) onset with Sam Elliott (right) who stars in Yellowstone prequel 1883
The Yellowstone franchise is certainly booming following the successful debuts of prequel show, 1883 and 1923.
Fans were delighted when Paramount+ confirmed the first prequel series would be heading to screens in 2021, with the show going back to show the start of the Dutton family empire.
Expanding the story of James Dutton, played by Tim McGraw, and Margaret Dutton, played by wife Faith Hill, the star-studded series detailed the family’s journey from Fort Worth, Texas, to Montana to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone Ranch.
The likes of Hollywood icon Tom Hanks made a cameo during the 10-episode run, alongside real-life wife Rita Wilson, Graham Greene, Dawn Olivieri and Emma Malouff.
Meanwhile, Western-cowboy veteran Sam Elliot, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen and James Landry Hébert made up the core cast.
Despite becoming the most-watched series ever on Paramount+ globally, Sheridan confirmed in February 2022 that 1883 would not return for a second season.
Though Paramount had happily teased ‘more’ of 1883, it was revealed that the story would instead continue in the form of another prequel series.
Originally titled 1932, the show was renamed 1923 when it was announced that movie legends Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren were leads Jacob and Cara Dutton in the series about the next two generations of the family.
Taking place 40 years after the first prequel series, the show follows the Duttons, ‘as they struggle to survive historic drought, lawlessness and prohibition, and an epidemic of cattle theft.’
On top of all this, they also deal with ‘Montana’s great depression,’ which happened several years before the Great Depression of 1929.
The series was originally set during the Great Depression before it was shifted to take place nine years earlier after World War I.
Speaking about his approach to spin-offs at the time of its release, Sheridan explained: ‘I created this peek through time to show you this one specific journey. I’m not someone who likes to tie everything up in a bow and explain how everyone lived happily ever after, or didn’t.’
Stellar cast: Movie legends Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren play members of the Dutton family in 1923
A hit: 7.4 million viewers watched the premiere episode of the origin story series, which has been renewed for a second season
Big business: Horses at the real Four Sixes Ranch which Sheridan has used as a filming location for Yellowstone and 1883, and could likely be the set for 6666
He then explained that he doesn’t think of 1883 or 1923 as ‘spin-offs,’ but rather, ‘as complete stories that have common roots.’
‘My goal with the next one would be that you could never have seen Yellowstone or 1883, and still have a fully realized experience as a viewer,’ Sheridan added.
He said that there are ‘real Easter Eggs’ for fans that ‘informs the way you watch Yellowstone.’
‘I like that model. For me, as a storyteller it feels close ended. I’m going to peek through the window of a different era and see what I see then,’ he added.
According to Deadline, Sheridan is also reportedly eyeing two more Yellowstone prequel limited series, which would be set at the Dutton family ranch in the 1940s and the 1960s.
Indeed, the showrunner is currently in Texas to begin work on directing the pilot episodes of 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, starring David Oyelowo.
The six-part limited series will see the British actor star as the legendary former slave-turned-legendary Wild West lawman.
Elsewhere, 6666 appears poised to bring the take modern western-flavored drama as Yellowstone and showcase it in an entirely new setting. Set on the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, it is currently expected to debut later this year.
Yellowstone ranch hand Jimmy was sent to the 6666 to work for most of the show’s fourth outing, introducing the new ranch which hints that a few select characters could make a return in the spin-off.
Back in 2020, Sheridan purchased the real-life Four Sixes Ranch in Texas with a group of investors.
He also owns Bosque Ranch in Weatherford and a third in Jacksboro – where he runs both horses and cattle.
Some of the ranches have even served as filming locations for Yellowstone and 1883, with the creator also lending out his horses for filming.
Maintaining his TV empire: Focusing on shows such as Mayor of Kingstown and Tulsa King
Sheridan has been keeping busy with more than just his Yellowstone-related projects, continuing to develop both TV shows and movies
His show, Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone and Mayor of Kingston starring Jeremy Renner have been well received by viewers and critics alike
Sheridan has been keeping busy with more than just his Yellowstone-related projects.
As part of his long-running partnership with Paramount+, the creator has made two successful seasons of the thriller drama, Mayor of Kingston.
Starring the likes of Jeremy Renner, the series follows a family of power brokers based in Kingstown, Michigan, who make money from the town’s prison using whatever methods they can.
Sheridan and co-creator Hugh Dillion are already working on season three, though the timing for filming and release may be heavily affected by Renner’s recovery from a recent accident, which left the actor with horrific injuries after being run over by his seven-ton snow plow.
Meanwhile, the writer’s more recent release is also getting a lot of praise. Starring Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone, Tulsa King is a crime drama series about a New York mobster.
The veteran actor plays Dwight ‘The General’ Mandfredi, who got out of prison after serving a 25-year stretch and finds himself sent to establish a Mafia presence in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
After the debut season became the second-biggest Paramount+ hit behind 1923, it was confirmed the series would be back for another showing.
Just like Yellowstone, the series could see a few spin-offs take shape in the future.
Paramount Global streaming chief Tanya Giles told Indiewire: ‘The huge success we’ve had with Tulsa King and Sylvester Stallone opens up possibilities with Taylor Sheridan… his mind works in terms of universes and backstories, so I think there’s always a possibility that there’s more to that universe and more to that story. More to come there.’
Even more hits up his sleeve: Sheridan is getting to work on even more new shows with Hollywood powerhouses attached
Big names : Sheridan is also working with big names behind the camera after both Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman signed up as both stars and executive producers for new drama Lioness
So far, it has been announced that Sheridan has written a spy-based drama, which will see actresses Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman take on leading roles.
A snapshot of Sheridan’s writing credits
2015: Sicario
2016: Hell Or High Water
2017: Wind River
2018: Sicario: Day of the Soldado
2018-2023: Yellowstone
2019: The Last Cowboy
2021: Those Who Wish Me Dead
2021-2022: 1883
2021-2022: Mayor of Kingstown
2022-2023: Tulsa King
2022-2023: 1923
TBC: Lioness
TBC: Fast
TBC: 6666
Titled Lioness, the show is a political spy thriller about a young Marine, played by Laysla De Oliveira, whom the CIA recruits to befriend the daughter of a terrorist.
De Oliveira is best known for playing the villain Dodge in the Netflix fantasy-horror series Locke & Key and will star as the main character Cruz Manuelos, who joins the CIA’s Lioness program.
The idea behind the operation is to bring down the organization from within.
Saldana will star as Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program.
Her character is tasked with training and leading her female undercover operatives.
Kidman is executive producing the series along with Saldana and will star as CIA Senior Supervisor Kaitlyn Meade, who has a history of playing and surviving the political game.
Brittney Spears’ husband Sam Asghari will guest-star as Kamal, an unapologetic womanizer.
Meanwhile, 85-year-old Oscar winner Morgan Freeman recently joined the cast to star as US Secretary of State Edwin Mullin.
Elsewhere, Sheridan will team up with Billy Bob Thornton once again for a TV series called Land Man.
The program will see Thornton star as a crisis manager for an oil company, which is based on the Boomtown podcast.
Hollywood action star Chris Pratt has also been linked to a project by Sheridan called Fast.
The action thriller is about an ex-special forces commando (Pratt) who is recruited by the DEA to lead a black ops strike team targeting drug dealers who are being protected by the CIA.
The project was first mentioned in 2018, with Sheridan set to write and direct the project.
However, the film seems to be on continued pause due to the showrunner’s many other projects.
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