\n<\/p>\n
A final trip to Montana? Rumors about the future of Yellowstone<\/em><\/a> have been swirling since the first half of season 5<\/a> wrapped up in early 2023 \u2014 and the cast has had plenty to say about it<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speculation about the show\u2019s possible finale began in February 2023 when Deadline<\/em><\/a> reported that Paramount Network was considering ending the show<\/a> after season 5 because of scheduling conflicts with Kevin Costner<\/strong><\/a>, who plays lead character John Dutton. The outlet claimed at the time that the network was also exploring the possibility of moving forward with a spinoff starring Matthew McConaughey<\/strong><\/a> in a lead role.<\/p>\n A rep for Paramount Network, however, denied the report, saying only that they hoped Costner, 68, remains part of the Yellowstone<\/em> family \u201cfor a long time to come.\u201d The spokesperson added: \u201cThanks to the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan<\/strong>, we are always working on franchise expansions of this incredible world he has built. Matthew McConaughey is a phenomenal talent with whom we\u2019d love to partner.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite that denial, rumors about the family drama\u2019s future persisted<\/a>. Later in February 2023, Puck<\/em> published an expos\u00e9 claiming that Costner was holding up production<\/a> on the second half of season 5, which was originally set to air in summer 2023. According to the outlet, the new episodes haven\u2019t been filmed yet and will now air starting in November 2023.<\/p>\n The Dances With Wolves<\/em> director denied Puck<\/em>\u2018s report through his lawyer, Marty Singer<\/strong>, who slammed the expos\u00e9 as an \u201cabsolute lie.\u201d Paramount Network, meanwhile, added in a statement: \u201cAs we previously stated, Kevin has been a key component of the success of our Yellowstone series, and we hope that continues from here on out.\u201d<\/p>\n As speculation about the show continued<\/a>, cocreator Sheridan has remained tight-lipped about his plans for Yellowstone<\/em>. The Wind River<\/em> director has previously said that he already knows how he wants the series to end \u2014 and he\u2019s been writing toward that finale all along.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s only so much hovering one can do before the story starts to lose its locomotion; you can\u2019t put it in neutral just because it\u2019s successful,\u201d the Sons of Anarchy<\/em> alum told The New York Times<\/em><\/a> in December 2021. \u201cIt will go as many years as it takes for me to tell the story, but you\u2019re not going to see nine seasons of it. No way.\u201d<\/p>\n