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The late Robert Redford was slated to head up the cast of Yellowstone<\/em><\/a> at one point before the show got the green light, but the Hollywood legend ended up losing the plum part for a most unexpected reason.<\/p>\n Yellowstone<\/em> co-creator and writer Taylor Sheridan tells the Hollywood Reporter<\/a> that he originally wrote Yellowstone<\/em> as a movie, and it eventually ended up in development as a series for HBO.<\/p>\n Sheridan wanted Kevin Costner<\/a> for the lead role of John Dutton from the start, but HBO executives “didn’t see it,” he recalls.<\/p>\n \u201cThey said, \u2018We want Robert Redford,'” he states. \u201cThey said, \u2018If you can get us Robert Redford, we\u2019ll greenlight the pilot.’<\/p>\n Sheridan went straight into action to make their request into reality.<\/p>\n \u201cI drive to Sundance and spend the day with him and he agrees to play John Dutton,\u201d Sheridan relates.<\/p>\n \u201cI call the senior vice president in charge of production and say, \u2018I got him!\u2019 \u2018You got who?\u2019 \u2018Robert Redford.\u2019 \u2018What?!<\/em>\u2018 \u2018You said if I got Robert Redford, you\u2019d greenlight the show.\u2019”<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he says \u2014 and you can\u2019t make this s–t up \u2014 \u2018We meant a Robert Redford type<\/em>.\u2019”<\/p>\n The deal fell apart, and Sheridan was able to get the rights back.<\/p>\n He subsequently shopped it around to a number of different outlets, including smaller niche markets that included TBS and TNT.<\/p>\n He finally struck a deal with Paramount Network, with Costner firmly back in place in the role he had envisioned for him all along.<\/p>\n Y<\/em>ellowstone<\/em> debuted in 2018, and it became the most-watched drama on cable television by its fourth season.<\/p>\n The show ended after Season 5.<\/p>\n Yes. CNN<\/a> reports that the actor, director and philanthropist died at his home in Utah on Sept. 16, 2025, at the age of 89.<\/p>\n As part of Taste of Country’s comprehensive coverage of all things Yellowstone<\/em>, check out our Dutton Rules<\/em> podcast on Apple Podcasts<\/a> and Spotify<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yellowstone<\/em> star Kevin Costner lives the ranch life when he’s off the set of the hit show, too. The Oscar-winning actor owns a 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colo., that’s a spectacular getaway, complete with a main residence, a lake house and a river house.<\/p>\n The luxury retreat also features a baseball field, a sledding hill, an ice rink, multiple hot tubs and views of the Continental Divide. The ranch property comfortably sleeps 27 people, and it’s currently available to rent for 36,000 a night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The real-life marriage? Who has the most kills? Who told Taylor Sheridan “No”? These have all been added before Season 5 of Yellowstone<\/em> resumes on Nov. 10.<\/p>\n John’s kids? Beth’s accent? Rainwater’s guitar playing? Tate’s spoilers? They’re also included on this list of 34 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Yellowstone<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Was Robert Redford Connected to Yellowstone<\/em>?<\/h3>\n
Why Didn’t Robert Redford End up on Yellowstone<\/em>?<\/h3>\n
How Did Yellowstone<\/em> End up on Paramount Network?<\/h3>\n
Did Robert Redford Die?<\/h3>\n
PICTURES: See Inside Kevin Costner’s Spectacular Colorado Ranch<\/h2>\n
34 ‘Yellowstone’ Facts You Probably Didn’t Know<\/h2>\n