Kevin Costner Faces Hollywood Fallout After ‘Yellowstone’ Feud With Wes Bentley and On-Set Drama
Kevin Costner’s legendary Hollywood career appears to be entering one of its most turbulent chapters. Following his abrupt exit from Yellowstone — and the now-infamous feud with co-star Wes Bentley — industry insiders claim the Oscar-winning actor is facing mounting backlash across Hollywood.
The Feud That Changed Everything
According to The Hollywood Reporter, tensions between Costner and Bentley erupted during the filming of Yellowstone’s fifth season. The confrontation allegedly turned physical after a heated argument over the script.
Insiders revealed that Costner, who also served as an executive producer on the series, wanted to deviate from Taylor Sheridan’s script. When Bentley refused to follow his direction, insisting he would stick to Sheridan’s vision, Costner “lunged” at him.
Though no punches were thrown, the altercation grew intense enough that production had to temporarily shut down. Actress Kelly Reilly, who witnessed the incident, was reportedly left in tears.
An insider described the event as a breaking point: “Everything changed after that. The atmosphere on set was tense, and people started taking sides.”
Hollywood’s Growing Reluctance
Following the on-set fallout, whispers began circulating through Hollywood that Costner had become difficult to work with. Several producers and executives have reportedly expressed hesitation about collaborating with him in the future.
“He’s a perfectionist, and that can easily turn into stubbornness,” one source told THR. “When Kevin feels he’s right, he won’t back down. Some see that as confidence — others see it as arrogance.”
Adding to the tension, Costner’s negotiations for Yellowstone Season 5 reportedly included a $10 million bonus demand and full script approval, both of which Paramount rejected. Not long after, Costner walked away from the show, leaving Sheridan to rework the final season’s storyline without its lead star.
Legal Trouble and Industry Reactions
As if the professional fallout weren’t enough, Costner is also battling a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by stunt performer Devyn LaBella. His legal team has denied all allegations, calling the claims “a bold-faced lie” and “a shakedown.” Costner insists the lawsuit is an attempt to damage his reputation.
Meanwhile, his former agent Rick Nicita defended the actor, saying, “Kevin has a firm belief in himself. He’s confident — maybe too confident for some. That can come across as arrogance, but he’s always been driven by his vision.”
Even Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has attempted to downplay their rumored feud, saying he “never had an issue with Kevin,” despite the growing public narrative suggesting otherwise.
‘Horizon’ Struggles and a Career Crossroads
After leaving Yellowstone, Costner poured his time, money, and heart into Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, a sprawling $100 million Western he directed, co-wrote, produced, and starred in. Unfortunately, the ambitious project flopped at the box office, earning just $38.7 million worldwide and receiving mixed critical reviews.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Costner has already completed filming the sequel, Horizon: Chapter 2, hoping to rebuild momentum and reaffirm his place as a filmmaker with vision and conviction.
What’s Next for Kevin Costner?
Even as his reputation takes a hit, there’s no denying Costner’s impact on modern television and film. From Dances with Wolves to Yellowstone, he remains a powerhouse of storytelling. But his recent controversies have cast a long shadow — one that might take years to shake off.
As Hollywood continues to watch from the sidelines, one question remains: can Kevin Costner reclaim his legacy, or has the Yellowstone drama permanently tarnished it?