Kevin Costner, aka The Ranch Daddy Extraordinaire, has finally broken his silence on the fiery fan outrage surrounding his character’s not-so-sunny exit from Yellowstone. The 69-year-old Oscar-winning legend—who also moonlights as the reason most viewers have a crush on cowboys—has addressed the chaos following the news that he would not be returning for the show’s final season.
ICYMI, the Yellowstone Season 5B premiere dropped on November 10, and plot twist: John Dutton, King of the Big Hats and Bigger Problems, was found with a fatal gunshot wound. That’s right, he’s officially gone to the Great Ranch in the Sky, where cattle roam free, and nobody sues over water rights. Naturally, fans were ready to grab their pitchforks and camp outside Paramount Network HQ.
At Sunday’s (November 17) Governors Awards, Kevin was cornered for his thoughts on all the boo-hooing over John Dutton’s cowboy curtain call. And surprise, surprise—he’s as chill as a cowboy in a snowstorm.
“Fans have a voice in things, and they choose to follow stuff,” Kevin told E! News, clearly side-eyeing the mob of outraged Dutton enthusiasts. Translation: Y’all are loud, but I see you.
Apparently, Kevin didn’t just sit back and let his character get whacked without some input. In fact, he revealed he pitched not one but TWO possible exits to Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. Yes, the man had options, but in the end? “They do what they want to do,” Kevin shrugged. “That’s fine with me.”
Talk about cowboy zen. Imagine pitching dramatic death scenes only to have the producers say, “Thanks, Kev, but we’re thinking surprise bullet outta nowhere for the vibes.”
So, if you’re still fuming over John Dutton biting the dust, just know Kevin’s already saddled up for his next adventure—probably involving fewer ranches and more Oscars. As for Yellowstone fans, time to take that drama to the bunkhouse.