Kevin Costner addresses fans' backlash over his character John Dutton's fate in 'Yellowstone'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The recent revelation of the end of Kevin Costner's 'Yellowstone' character shocked fans worldwide and viewers expressed outrage over how John Dutton III was killed off in the Paramount show.

However, Costner, the two-time Oscar winner, gave his views on the backlash from fans over his character's departure. He had also earlier pitched series creator Taylor Sheridan two different endings for his character, according to E! News. 

Kevin Costner addresses fans' backlash

Kevin Costner told the outlet at the 2024 Governors Awards in Los Angeles on November 17, "Fans have a voice in things and they choose to follow stuff."

He added that he had pitched his character's death to Sheridan "a while back" but it was up to producers on the exact way John would meet his ultimate fate.

He added, "They do what they want to do. That's fine with me."

Appearing on SiriusXM’s ‘The Michael Smerconish Program’ on Monday, November 11, Costner revealed his "perfectly honest" reaction to the tragic death of his character John Dutton.

“I'm going to be perfectly honest. I didn't know it was actually airing last night,” the Oscar winner said during his appearance on the SiriusXM show, reported E! News.

He added, “That's a swear to god moment. I've been seeing ads with my face all over the place and I'm thinking, ‘Gee, I'm not in that one.’ But I didn't realize yesterday was the thing.”

Kevin Costner keeps doors open for 'Yellowstone' return

The Oscar-winning actor announced his departure from the show in June and explained that he was "not going to be able to continue" filming due to scheduling conflicts with his four-part movie anthology 'Horizon: An American Saga', per the outlet.

Costner said in a statement, "It was something that really changed me. I love the relationship we've been able to develop and I'll see you at the movies.

However, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in October, he was asked about the potential for his return and if he had any conversations regarding the completion of John Dutton's story.

Costner said that he would leave his door open to play John Dutton again. He said, "No, there haven't been but I think in your life, you stay open."

The actor added, "We all know how to shut doors, we all know how to keep them shut, but I think staying open, there's always those things… that's how I like to live."

Moreover, the actor earlier hinted at a comeback in September while speaking with Entertainment Tonight. He said, "Some things have a way of circling back," according to the New York Post.

Costner added, "I haven't seen that dust trail coming toward me, but I've always been open to what I started. Five seasons was a lot for us to do, and I think that story is not finished."

After his dramatic exit from the show, the 69-year-old actor said in an Instagram video in June that he was concentrating on his ambitious four-part Western film, 'Horizon: An American Saga'.