'Yellowstone' sequel faces another challenge as actors demand pay raise, ask to appear first in credits
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It seems the shooting for the sequel of 'Yellowstone' won’t be starting anytime soon as the main cast members of the original show are now reportedly demanding more money than their previous pay.
Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, and Luke Grimes have reportedly asked for a significant raise in their per-episode payment, as per Daily Mail.
'Yellowstone' original cast members demand $1 million per episode fees
It has been said that Reilly and Hauser have asked for more than $1 million per episode, while the demand made by Grimes is yet to be known.
Paramount has, however, reportedly issued an ultimatum giving a "take-it-or-leave-it deadline" to them.
But it is not the only issue the makers are facing.
'Yellowstone' original cast members want more prominency than Matthew McConaughey
Reports also note that the cast members have expressed their desire to be credited first in the show before the apparent new lead actor Matthew McConaughey.
Besides, it has been said that Taylor Sheridan, who is writing the sequel, was earlier not in favor of casting Reilly, Hauser, and Grimes.
However, according to a source, the trio was included as Paramount wanted the same level of success for the new show similar to the original one.
Matthew McConaughey's fate in 'Yellowstone' still in peril
Apart from the problems surrounding the original cast, the show also struggles to bag McConaughey as its lead.
In December 2023, RadarOnline.com, citing a tipster, revealed, "Matthew and his team know he's the number one creative choice for the post-Kevin version of Yellowstone that's being planned, but Paramount is dragging its feet on his $2.5 million per episode asking price — and there's a real possibility Matthew will just move on.”
They added, "The expectation was that once the Hollywood strikes ended, sealing the deal would be a quick process, but they're really dragging their feet on meeting his demands!"
The delay has reportedly frustrated McConaughey as an insider shared, "He's getting angry he doesn't have clarity on when exactly this job would even start if they do come to an agreement."
"No deal Matthew has ever made has taken this long, especially after he won an Oscar for 'Dallas Buyers Club'," asserted the tipster, adding, "But 'Yellowstone' is a monolith unto itself, and producers are wondering if it's worth it."
They noted, "Matt wants to make this deal. His demands may be sky-high, but he feels he's worth it — and the powers that be better get their act together, or he'll be saying adios, amigos!"
