Yellowstone is seeing some ongoing drama as the situation with Kevin Costner continues to hinder the show’s progress. The show was due to make an appearance at PaleyFest on Saturday with its cast and creator in tow, but fans were treated to an empty stage as the show pulled out at the last minute. According to Variety, the event was supposed to have featured Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and executive producer David Glasser, as well as the show’s stars Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham and Jacki Weaver. Variety was told that the cast could not attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Thirty minutes before the red carpet was supposed to begin its walk and greet at Dolby Theater in Hollywood, the press was let in but given a tip sheet with only four cast members’ names on it. The list included Josh Lucas, Wendy Moniz, Mo Brings Plenty, and Dawn Olivieri. Paramount Network development president Keith Cox was also in attendance but did not speak to the press on the carpet.
The cast list of those who would appear was not updated on the website for PaleyFest, and when fans bought tickets to the show, they were understandably miffed. One audience member who had purchased tickets to the event would go on to tweet their displeasure, “Yeah as someone who paid over $100 a ticket I’m pretty fn pissed. Quite the bait and switch. People are walking out.” Another scorned fan would ask, “Will there be refunds for #yellowstone #PaleyFest we drove two hours to the cast you said would be here. What a joke and rip off.”
This all comes off the heels of drama surrounding the show’s star, Kevin Costner, who had been at odds with production due to schedule demands and had been the subject of rumors of departure. Then, it was said a new incarnation of the series would be starring Matthew McConaughey in the lead role. A spokesperson for Paramount+ had assured fans, “Kevin Costner is a big part of Yellowstone, and we hope that’s the case for a long time to come. 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.”