'Yellowstone' Fans Share Sobering Messages About Potential Ending Without Kevin Costner

Will "Yellowstone" fans tune out if Kevin Costner doesn't return for the show's ending?

The hit neo-Western from Taylor Sheridan is scheduled to return this November to wrap up the fifth and final season, but seeing as how production hasn't started yet, it's very unclear whether or not that will actually happen.

One of the biggest questions still looming is whether or not Kevin Costner will return to play John Dutton one final time or if he's done with the series.

It certainly looks like all signs are pointing to Costner being done, but the star actor did recently hinted he'd like to return.

"Yellowstone" fans react to Kevin Costner potentially not returning for series' ending.

While Costner might be open to returning, it's very unclear whether or not creator Taylor Sheridan feels the same way. It's time for fans to start mentally preparing for a potential John Dutton to happen off-screen. How will fans react to an ending without Costner?

Well, that's exactly what fans are discussing on Reddit in a thread asking, "If Costner doesn’t return for the final season, how many of us will even watch? I certainly will not."

Check out some of the responses and reactions below, and hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

• I will. I just want closure. My expectations are so low anyway.
• Worst case just watch the last 5 minutes of the very last episode for closure.
• If it’s a sh*tshow, I will hate watch it. I am in too deep now.
• I think most of it will still watch, we’ve come this far. I’d almost prefer them to not shoot a final season without Costner though, any possible avenue for writing him out just seems so corny and unrealistic to the story
• It would ruin it. Sheridan needs to do the right thing while Costner is still available since Horizon just wrapped.
• I would. The Dutton kids and Rip are written as so under the great John Dutton’s thumb it would be interesting to see how they are written without that. Not saying Costner would not be missed but could be interesting. Like the characters or not Reilly,Bentley, and Hauser have put alot into their roles and created some memorable characters. Can they stand on their own? I would watch to see.
• I will watch just to see how it ends - but I don't expect it will be any good without him (or even with him - but it will be marginally better). It is sort of like Succession after the demise of Dad/Brian Cox: while I do think that "the kids," well, in this case Kelly Reilly and Wes Bentley, are talented, with Rip/Cole Hauser occupying the Tom/Matthew McFayden role (literally, I now realize, as the husband to the red-headed daughter!) I don't know that they alone can carry a show without it just kinda dragging. The crotchety old guys really add something.
• I will. I think the shows characters are strong enough to carry without him tbh.
• I will watch, want to see this all ends.
• I will. I need the closure, but I sure wish those two ego maniacs would kiss and make up to give it the ending it deserves.
• That’s the thing, even if TS does make a half decent ending without Costner, we’ll be left wondering what could have been. I despise John’s character but he is the kingpin of this story.
• I’ll try it and see how it goes, and I’ll decide after the first episode. Worst case, I’ll check this sub to see how it ended.
• I will. I don't watch the show for Kevin Costner. He's a great actor and his role is huge. But it's not all. There are a lot of other roles in the show and it will be interesting to see them get more space and time. I find both the kids and the cowboys was more entertaining. And l kinda hope TS can collect it all. He has time to deal with Kevin Costner leaving. It's not thrown upon him two hours before deadline. I sure he can come up with story there live up to the Yellowstones standards.
• I’ll watch but I’m definitely not excited about it any longer.
• Him and Rip are the only reason I watch it. That just means they’ll focus more on the Beth and Jamie drama which is hard to watch as it is.
• There is no universe where KC doesn't return to finish 5B. Think about just how long it has been already. They obviously aren't in any hurry to get it done. When they can work out a time and place to finish with KC, they will. Probably 90% of the reason they haven't just pushed on and finished it yet.

It certainly appears like opinions are very split on whether or not people will watch the final season without Costner. At a minimum, people don't sound excited, and it's hard to blame them.

"Yellowstone" has been awesome since it premiered in 2018, and Costner's performance as John Dutton is a big reason why. The ending definitely won't feel the same without Costner on the screen.

Now, will it change the outcome? I doubt it. It's been obvious from the jump that the Dutton patriarch is going to die. The story doesn't make sense if he lives after all the horrible things he's been responsible for. Death is the only ending that makes sense, and that can happen whether Costner returns or not.

Will Kevin Costner return for the end of "Yellowstone"? (Credit: Paramount Network)

However, I think I speak for fans everywhere when I say the ending will be much better with Costner involved. Let's hope we get the ending we deserve after pouring years of our lives into "Yellowstone." Definitely let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.