Kevin Costner wants to keep doors open for a 'Yellowstone' return after being written off

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner expressed his openness to return to 'Yellowstone' as John Dutton III after he was written off from the neo-Western drama series.

The series finale's second half of Season 5 is scheduled to premiere on November 10, but Costner's character, despite being the protagonist, will not be a part of the six-episode part.

Fans should wait three more weeks to learn what happens to John Dutton, whether he meets his demise or is preoccupied with his duties as Governor of Montana or how the series creator Taylor Sheridan wrote out the character. The only obvious fact is that he would not be part of the final episodes, much to the fan's dismay.

Kevin Costner has not given up hopes of returning to 'Yellowstone'

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

Admitting no discussion of that sort took place, Costner indicated he would leave his door open to play John Dutton again.

"No, there haven't been but I think in your life, you stay open," the 69-year-old said. "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."

'Yellowstone' expanded its franchise with a third spinoff titled '1944' which is set to start 15 years before the birth of Costner's character. It remains to be seen whether John Dutton would have some scenes in '1944'.

Kevin Costner earlier hinted at a likely 'Yellowstone' comeback

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight last month, Kevin Costner hoped for a possible return as John Dutton.

"Some things have a way of circling back," he said, as per the New York Post.

"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."

The story follows the Dutton family, which owned the largest ranch in Montana, led by the patriarch, played by Costner.

The trailer for part two of Season 5 contains footage of Costner's character. In a voiceover, his character could be heard saying, "Legacy. You build something worth having, someone is gonna try and take it."

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