Time for a different storyline in the world of Yellowstone, as Paramount+ has been rumored they will switch to filming an off-shoot series after the original star Kevin Costner only wanted a very shortened filming schedule.
Yellowstone, which is one of the most-watched scripted series in television these days, has been a success story for Paramount+. So when rumors began circulating that Costner only wanted to film for about a week for the remaining 6 hours of show time for the rest of the season, it was a problem.
While Paramount+ hasn't directly implicated this scheduling snafu in their conversations about Costner, they have reportedly “declined Costner’s most recent proposal and made the decision to move on to the other show," meaning in this case, a spinoff series starring Matthew McConaughey.
People immediately wondered how on earth Paramount+ plans to pull off that switcheroo.
\u201c@JackPosobiec KC and RIP are the reasons I got into the show like how the hell are they going to pull that off? Matthew McConaughey is going to be Kevin Costners father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
There was some confusion, as at first people thought that McConaughey was going to replace Costner, rather than star in a spinoff.
\u201c@JackPosobiec The article I read said they are in talks of a SPIN-OFF that might have Matthew in as a main character. Not replacing Costner on Yellowstone.\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
Many others said that this move would be a good time to signal an end to the original series, with 5 seasons under its belt.
\u201cYellowstone is Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser (if we\u2019re being honest) and needs to end with them intact. 5 years is a nice run. I don\u2019t give a damn about any of the spin-off stuff.\u201d— J (@J) 1675789660
\u201c@JackPosobiec Five seasons is long enough, let\u2019s wrap it up!\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
\u201c@JackPosobiec It should be prohibited by the laws of the universe that any show has 6+ seasons. 5 seasons is the magical number.\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
Some people said that the show wouldn't make it without Costner's star power.
\u201c@JackPosobiec My take: the writing\u2019s not good enough for the show to survive without Costner.\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
Others pointed out that they aren't exactly watching for the writing quality or for Costner, so maybe the spinoff will work.
\u201c@HoherzRanch @JackPosobiec It\u2019s the only reason I watch , horses , men\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
\u201c@ATTY_R_C @JackPosobiec Thank you ! The depth of the show is very very thin ! I watch for the horses and the men , \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u201d— Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jack Posobiec \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1675775701
Someone did comment that if Yellowstone becomes more like a franchise than an original TV show, the gradual franchise-ification of media will continue to grow.
\u201c@THR Everything will be either Marvel, about the British Royal Family, or a Yellowstone spinoff\u201d— The Hollywood Reporter (@The Hollywood Reporter) 1675720894
Time and horses will tell, as Paramount+ starts filming the as of yet untitled new show.