Kevin Costner’s New Yellowstone Spin-Off Will Reveal a Shocking Twist on John Dutton III’s Fate

Kevin Costner returns to the world of Yellowstone in February 2025, but the new series only proves how frustrating and disappointing his character’s, John Dutton III, fate was in season 5, part 2. As many remember, Costner left Yellowstone after the season 5, part 1 finale. Reports claimed that part 2’s lengthy filming schedule was too demanding for Costner, who wanted to be able to focus on other projects. In addition to scheduling conflicts, creative differences and other behind-the-scenes drama between Costner and Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan reportedly led to the actor’s exit from the neo-Western drama.

So, the cast of Yellowstone season 5, part 2 had to go on without Costner. Since his character was the face of the show, though, the premiere had to explain his absence. Many speculated about John’s fate in the months leading up to the first episode of season 5, part 2. Some thought John would die, while others believed the character would be out of the state. Unfortunately, many viewers’ worst dreams came true. The good news is that Costner is returning to the Yellowstone franchise; the bad news is that his character’s ending will follow him wherever he goes.

Kevin Costner Is Returning To Yellowstone, But Not The Taylor Sheridan Show

The Actor Is Starring In A Docuseries

Starting on Saturday, February 8, Kevin Costner appears in the three-part documentary Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner. The docuseries airs on Fox Nation, dropping episodes weekly. Costner serves as the host and executive producer of Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner, which centers around his journey to walk the same path as Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir did during their Yosemite expedition in 1903.

Unfortunately, the Fox Nation docuseries isn’t by Taylor Sheridan nor does it bring back John Dutton III. Nevertheless, viewers get to see Costner back in his element. Throughout Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner, the actor explores the historic journey that helped reinforce and strengthen the National Park system in the United States (per the National Park Service).

Kevin Costner’s Continued Connection To Yellowstone Makes His Character’s Fate More Disappointing

John Dutton III’s Death Is Highly Controversial

Given his involvement in Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner, it’s clear that Yellowstone meant a lot to Kevin Costner. So, while exciting, the new docuseries only makes John Dutton III’s death more frustrating and heartbreaking. It reminds viewers what could have been if Costner hadn’t left Yellowstone before the ending. Everything would have been different. Unfortunately, that is not the reality we live in, and John is truly dead in the Yellowstone universe.