Details emerge of Yellowstone set shutdown after Kevin Costner 'lunged at co-star'

The set of Yellowstone was shut down after star Kevin Costner 'lunged' at a co-star, it has been claimed.

While the hit Western drama became one of the biggest TV success stories of the decade, what went down behind the scenes apparently wasn’t quite so picture-perfect.

Insiders have claimed that the atmosphere had been tense for months, with creative clashes and bruised egos running high as filming continued. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter, as part of their exclusive report, that the situation finally boiled over during a heated argument involving Costner and co-star Wes Bentley, with production even being forced to temporarily shut down.

It’s been alleged that the 70-year-old actor ‘lunged’ at Bentley after a disagreement about a scene.

According to reports, Costner wanted to ditch Taylor Sheridan’s original script and direct the moment his own way, something Bentley refused to do.

Kevin Costner’s on-set clash halted Yellowstone filming (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The younger actor reportedly told Costner he’d ‘signed up for a Taylor Sheridan show, not a Kevin Costner production’.

Things quickly escalated, and one insider claimed: “Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him.

"No fists were thrown, but they were in each other’s faces, pushing and shoving and just getting hot until they had to be separated."

The confrontation was apparently described as ‘a tipping point on a set already cracking from creative power struggles and bruised egos’.

Following the altercation, reports suggested that several cast members found it increasingly difficult to work with Costner.

Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, was said to have been moved to tears, and others allegedly felt relieved when the Oscar winner left the show.

The Yellowstone cast still faces scrutiny over set tensions (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Luke Grimes, who portrays Kayce Dutton, even admitted in a 2024 interview with Esquire that Costner’s absence made production run more smoothly: "To be really honest, there was a part of Kevin being gone that meant some of the conflict was gone.

"Obviously, it didn’t make it super fun to be around. Not pointing any fingers, but it was actually the easiest season we’ve filmed."

Costner’s name has since surfaced in other controversies, including accusations that he tried to rewrite scripts without warning and a sexual harassment lawsuit from stunt performer Devyn LaBella.

She claimed he forced her to film a ‘violent’ rape scene without notice or an intimacy coordinator, which Costner has dismissed as a ‘bold-faced lie’ designed ‘to damage [his] reputation’.

However, not everyone believes the actor deserves his bad press.

This isn't the first time the veteran actor has been embroiled in controversy (Paramount)

His former agent, Rick Nicita, defended him, saying: “He wanted what he wanted and knew what he wanted and if he didn’t get it… well, he was never a great compromiser.

"It’s a firm belief in himself and a confidence that to some can play as arrogance."

Show creator Taylor Sheridan also insisted he and Costner never had personal issues, adding: "I’ve never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldn’t work out on the phone… I don’t know that anyone deserves it."

As the dust settles, it seems the man who helped bring the Dutton family to life might be fighting his toughest battle yet in clearing his name.

UNILAD has contacted reps of Costner for comment.