Paramount CEO Chris McCarthy Hopes Kevin Costner Will Continue On Yellowstone

After almost two months of rumors that Yellowstone may end, Paramount boss Chris McCarthy is hopeful it will continue.

After all the drama relating to Yellowstone and the possible exit of Kevin Costner, Paramount boss, Chris McCarthy has opened up. In fact, he is hopeful that Costner will stay with the hit modern Western series, despite all the drama.

Yellowstone, Paramount and Kevin Costner

It is almost two months since headlines hinted that Yellowstone could end due to scheduling conflicts with its lead star, Kevin Costner. The original report came out in February, stating that Costner, 68, wanted to only spend a week filming part 2 of the current season 5. On top of this, it claimed that Paramount turned down the Dances With Wolves actor’s demands and that a new spinoff was planned to replace it, famously starring Matthew McConaughey. However, Paramount boss, Chris McCarthy is hopeful the series will go on with Costner.

The president and CEO of Paramount Media Network spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the rumors. While he didn’t give more details, he is still hopeful Costner will stay for more Yellowstone. In fact, he said, “[Yellowstone] wouldn’t be what it is today without Kevin and we hope that that stays for a long time to come.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy’s statement is similar to that issued by Paramount Network in early February, following the report:

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.

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.

Paramount Network and Matthew McConaughey

While the Paramount boss didn’t elaborate on Kevin’s status with the series, he did stress that the McConaughey project will move forward. In fact, McCarthy said that the project with McConaughey is only one of 10 new projects Taylor Sheridan currently has in development.

Cast members address the Kevin Costner rumors

Meanwhile, after the initial report came out, a number of Yellowstone stars addressed the rumors, including Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler. In fact, in an interview the actor said there will be at least two more seasons of the hit modern Western series. He said:

I can tell you there will be 6 and there will be a seventh, that’s all I can say. That’s all I can tell you.

Meanwhile, Lainey Wilson, who recently joined the show as Abby, said she doesn’t know much, but has the feeling they will end the show in the right way and that there will be more of it. Moreover, she hopes that she will remain on the show moving forward.

Another cast member, Piper Perabo, who plays Summer Higgins, told ET, “I mean, there’s always a lot of drama when it comes to Yellowstone, don’t believe everything you hear.” Moreover, the actress, who is married to one of the show’s directors, Stephen Kay, added:

Taylor Sheridan knows to play it really close to the vest, and I know better than to speak outside the ranch, but I’m excited to see what happens next.

Yellowstone fans can certainly relate to Piper’s statement while waiting for part 2 of season 5 to drop in the summer of 2023.