Kevin Costner Reflects on "Yellowstone" Exit, "Horizon" Struggles, and Personal Challenges

Kevin Costner opens up about his decision to leave "Yellowstone," the challenges he faced while making his passion project "Horizon," and the personal struggles he endured during that time.

Kevin Costner, the renowned actor and filmmaker, recently spoke to Fox News Digital about his decision to leave the hit series "Yellowstone," the challenges he faced while making his passion project "Horizon," and the personal struggles he endured during that time.

Costner's departure from "Yellowstone" came after years of friction with the show's production schedule, which interfered with his dedication to "Horizon," a historical epic that he had been working on for decades. Despite his initial agreement to extend his contract to seven seasons, production delays and schedule conflicts made it difficult for Costner to balance both projects.

"We very rarely started when we said we would, and we didn't finish when we said we would," Costner said. "And I was OK with that. I really was. But it wasn't a trend that could continue for me."

Costner's commitment to "Horizon" was so strong that he was willing to renegotiate his "Yellowstone" contract, offering to work around the show's filming schedule. However, when production on "Yellowstone" was split into two parts, Costner felt he had no choice but to prioritize his own project.

"I have a contract to do 'Horizon,' and I have people and money," Costner said. "I think there was a belief that I couldn't get it mounted, but I didn't really care what anybody believed."

Costner's departure from "Yellowstone" was met with mixed reactions, with some fans speculating that he had only wanted to work one week on the show. Costner disputes this claim, expressing disappointment that neither Paramount Network nor 101 Studios publicly defended him against the rumors.

"My big disappointment is I never heard Paramount or 101 really come to my defense and say, 'That's not true. He was going to do three more seasons,'" Costner said.

Despite his struggles with "Yellowstone," Costner remains open to the possibility of returning to the show in the future, although he acknowledges that certain conditions would need to be met.

"Well, Taylor and I know what the conditions are for coming back, and I'll just keep that between ourselves," Costner said. "And if we can't get to it, it's because at the end of the day, it's unreasonable for them or something."

Beyond the challenges with "Yellowstone," Costner also faced significant personal struggles during the production of "Horizon." In 2021, his parents passed away, and in 2023, his wife of 18 years, Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce. Despite these setbacks, Costner remained determined to complete his film.

"And those things are very important," Costner said. "I have to deal with them. And I have to deal with them on a daily basis, emotionally, historically almost. But I'm not going to lose myself because I've been bruised."

Costner's unwavering commitment to "Horizon" is driven by his passion for the Western genre and his belief in the film's entertainment value. He acknowledges that pursuing his dreams has come at a personal cost, but he refuses to let fear control his instincts.

"I've taken big bites out of life, life's taken big ones out of me, right?" Costner said. "I'm not going to lose myself because I've been bruised."

"Horizon" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a 10-minute standing ovation, moving Costner to tears. The film is set to be released in two parts, with the first part debuting in June and the second following in August.

Despite the unprecedented release plan, Costner remains optimistic about the film's success and is already planning parts three and four.

"I'm a little unconventional," Costner said. "I liked all four of 'em. They're already written. And so to me, it's not over until it's over."