Report: Script Dispute That Got Physical Between Kevin Costner and This 'Yellowstone' Cast Member Led to Show's Demise

A new report from The Hollywood Reporter claims actor Kevin Costner “lunged” at fellow cast member Wes Bentley on the set of the hit Paramount series Yellowstone, sparking chaos that ultimately helped bring the show to an end.

The confrontation reportedly erupted during the filming of a kitchen scene in Utah, when Costner—who played patriarch John Dutton—pressed Bentley (Jamie Dutton) to ignore series creator Taylor Sheridan’s script and perform the moment “his way.”

Bentley refused, allegedly firing back that he had joined a Taylor Sheridan show, “not a Kevin Costner production.”

That’s when tensions boiled over.
“Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him,” an insider told The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”

Actress Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) was reportedly left “in tears” as crew members rushed in to diffuse the situation. Production briefly halted before resuming.

Sources described the altercation as the “tipping point” for an already tense set plagued by “creative power struggles and bruised egos.” Another insider told the outlet, “The incident with Wes was the line in the sand. Everyone loved Wes and so that really made Taylor upset.”

Yellowstone debuted in 2018 and rapidly became cable television’s highest-rated scripted show by its third season, striking a deep cultural chord with conservative and rural audiences who connected with its themes of family, land, and legacy.

But by early 2023—despite the show’s massive success—Paramount confirmed that Season 5 would be its last, following production delays and behind-the-scenes disputes. Costner’s character, a fan favorite, was ultimately written out of the final episodes.

The 70-year-old star’s departure came after months of tension over scheduling conflicts, creative control, and his commitment to his self-funded Horizon Western film series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Costner has a long history of behind-the-scenes clashes, even with Hollywood icons such as Clint Eastwood and Kurt Russell. The outlet claimed, “There’s a long list of people in Hollywood who swear they’ll never work with Costner again.”

The alleged fight underscores what many have described as a Hollywood culture increasingly defined by ego, politics, and control—ironically destroying the kind of rugged, values-driven storytelling Yellowstone represented.