‘Dutton Ranch’ Is Facing a New Behind-The-Scenes Battle Between Cole Hauser and Taylor Sheridan

‘Yellowstone‘ fans have grown used to hearing about drama behind the cameras nearly as often as drama in front of them, whether it’s cast departures, contract disputes, or reported clashes between the people building the franchise. Even with the flagship series wrapped, that reputation for off-screen tension hasn’t exactly cooled down.

That tension has now resurfaced on ‘Dutton Ranch,’ the ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff continuing the Duttons’ story, according to a new report detailing a rift between one of the franchise’s most beloved stars and the man who created the entire universe. Sources describe the situation as anything but new, tracing back to friction that reportedly predates the original show entirely.

‘Dutton Ranch’ star Cole Hauser’s feud with Taylor Sheridan has heated up amid a bitter “Texas vs. California” showdown behind the scenes, according to Page Six. The rift between Hauser, who plays fan-favorite Rip Wheeler, and Sheridan, who serves as executive producer, reportedly nearly turned physical for a second time on set.

A source told the Daily Mail, “Cole has had beef with Taylor for a while. Taylor can be a harsh Texas guy. He is super straightforward and thinks fast, so he can come off as brutal, but he is just on top of his game, and he is brilliant. Cole is more casual, more surfer dude.” Another insider summed up the dynamic even more bluntly, describing it simply as “classic California versus Texas.”

That characterization lines up with Hauser’s own public comments in recent months, where he’s openly criticized Sheridan’s absence from the ‘Dutton Ranch’ set and voiced frustration about filming conditions in North Texas. Those remarks appear to have added fuel to an already strained relationship between the two men.

The friction between Hauser and Sheridan reportedly dates back to before they ever worked together, with Hauser previously telling Men’s Journal in 2022 that the pair got into a physical fight the second time they ever met, though they eventually became friends afterward. A separate source described a similar near-blowup during ‘Yellowstone’ filming itself, saying, “When they were filming Yellowstone, they almost got into a fist fight. They butted heads big time because they are so different. But then they were OK in the end, the dust-up was short-lived.”

Their history of conflict hasn’t stayed confined to on-set tension, either. In late 2023, Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch filed a trademark lawsuit against Hauser’s coffee company, Free Rein, alleging the brand’s logo was “strikingly similar” to Bosque Ranch’s own registered trademark and designed to mislead customers about an affiliation between the two companies.

Some insiders have speculated that the underlying tension may stem from Sheridan’s own complicated relationship with acting, having started his career as a performer before shifting into writing and directing. One source suggested Sheridan could be “envious” of Hauser’s continued success as an actor, though that theory remains speculative.

Despite the reported friction, sources close to the situation say Hauser remains deeply aware of what he owes Sheridan professionally, given that landing the role of Rip Wheeler effectively launched his career to a new level. That awareness has reportedly kept Hauser from pushing back too hard against Sheridan in the past, even as tensions between the two continue to simmer.

With ‘Dutton Ranch’ still airing and both men remaining central to its continued success, this reported feud adds yet another layer of behind-the-scenes drama to a franchise that’s rarely been short on it.

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