For years, Yellowstone fans have wondered what actually caused Kevin Costner to leave the show ahead of the second half of its fifth and

final season. Now, a new exposé reveals that the tipping point may have been a power struggle between Costner and Wes Bentley, another one of the Western’s leading men.

 

 

The Hollywood Reporter reported on October 8 that tensions boiled over between the men when Costner began pushing Bentley to film a scene the way he wanted, as opposed to how creator Taylor Sheridan wrote it, and Bentley refused.

“Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him,” the outlet’s source, who was present for the alleged confrontation, shared. “No fists were thrown, but they were in each other’s faces, pushing and shoving and just getting hot until they had to be separated.” Production even briefly shut down after the incident.

 

 

A rep for Bentley confirmed that an altercation did take place. The rep referred to it as a “work related argument during an emotional and physically tough scene,” adding that it was “discussed and resolved.”

However, this all reportedly happened after seasons of Costner, who has been called “difficult” to work with in the past, rubbing his costars the wrong way on set. It appears that this alleged showdown may be what caused Yellowstone’s demise (the show ended after five seasons in 2024).

“The incident with Wes was the line in the sand. Everything was different after that,” another source told THR. “Everyone loved Wes and so that really made Taylor upset. Kevin and Taylor butted heads from there on out. It got very awkward.”

Meanwhile, Costner began focusing his attention on a new project called Horizon, which he was having trouble circulating. “Nobody was jumping to buy [Costner’s] odyssey and after [Sheridan introduced] 1883, he wanted to prove everyone wrong,” a source explained to THR. “He was obsessively pursuing it and as a result his world on Yellowstone starts unravelling.”

When Costner’s demands to appear in the final season of Yellowstone were not met, it was agreed that his character would be killed off in the first episode of Season 5B. Meanwhile, Costner has insisted that he was not delivered the scripts for the final season in a timely manner that was conducive with his schedule for Horizon.

“Yellowjackets” will conclude with its upcoming fourth season, Variety has learned.

The Showtime/Paramount+ Premium series, produced by Lionsgate TV, originally debuted in 2021, with the third season airing between February and April 2025. The fourth season will premiere in 2026, with an exact release date to be revealed at a later time. The writers’ room for Season 4 is now open.

“After three incredible seasons, and great consideration, we’re excited to announce that we will be bringing the story of Yellowjackets to its twisted conclusion in this fourth and final season,” said series creators and co-showrunners Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson. “We’ve always known there would come a point when the story would tell us it wants to end, and it’s our belief that our job — our responsibility — is to listen. Telling this emotional, wild, and deeply human story has been a profoundly meaningful experience and a true honor for us, and we’re so very grateful to the brilliant cast, crew and writers who have bravely gone on the journey with us to bring it to life. Most of all, we want to thank the fans who have stuck with us through every moment, mystery and meal — the Hive is nothing without you! We can’t wait to share the final chapter with you and hope you find it…delicious. All the best, A & B.”

According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, conversations are underway for Lyle and Nickerson to continue their relationship with Paramount beyond the ending of the series.