Yellowstone’s behind-the-scenes drama between Kevin Costner and his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, is as intense as any plotline in the series. New court documents shed light on the monetary disputes surrounding Costner’s ambiguous future with the hit show.
Baumgartner’s Accusations
Christine Baumgartner has pointed fingers at Costner, alleging his evasiveness about his role in Yellowstone’s potential sixth season. Recent court documents revealed her attorneys pressing Costner on his decision to continue or quit the series, seemingly part of a strategy to gauge his income. The context? A pending child support agreement for their three children, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace.
Costner’s Yellowstone Earnings
Yellowstone has undoubtedly been a lucrative project for Costner. For the show’s fourth season, he reportedly pocketed about $11 million, translating to a whopping $1.1 million for each episode. His earnings for the fifth season saw a slight drop, with him making $10 million in total, or $1.25 million per episode.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner
The fifth season saw Costner appearing only in its first half, which debuted in November 2022. Although the second half’s release was anticipated this summer, whispers about Costner’s reluctance to return hinted at production delays. While his attorney refuted these speculations, the Paramount Network later confirmed Yellowstone’s curtain call with its fifth season, now set to air later this year. Fans can, however, look forward to a yet-to-be-named sequel post the main series’ finale.
Sheridan Expresses Disappointment
Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone’s co-creator, didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with Costner’s decision. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan voiced his concerns, saying,
“It truncates the closure of his character, [John Dutton]. It doesn’t alter it, but it truncates it.”
Kevin Costner on ‘Yellowstone’
Child Support Woes
Costner’s exit from Yellowstone seems central to his ongoing child support dispute with Baumgartner. In a past hearing, Baumgartner demanded $248,000 monthly, but Costner claimed that his departure from Yellowstone would impact his earnings in 2023, rendering him unable to meet this request. The court subsequently granted Baumgartner a temporary monthly child support of $129,755, in addition to ordering Costner to bear $200,000 for attorneys’ fees and $100,000 in forensic costs.
In a recent brief, Baumgartner’s lawyers emphasized that Costner’s profit participation from Yellowstone will continue, even after his exit. This, they argue, is due to his entitlement to a share of the show’s profits, regardless of his involvement in the potential sixth season or beyond.
In Hollywood, it’s not always easy to distinguish between on-screen drama and off-screen reality. As Costner’s Yellowstone journey and personal battles intertwine, fans and spectators alike wait for the next chapter in this unfolding saga.
Source: Usmagazine
