Kevin Costner’s On-Set Drama Left Yellowstone Co-Star in Tears

Tensions reportedly ran high on the set of Yellowstone after a heated clash between Kevin Costner and his co-star Wes Bentley, according to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter.

The argument, which allegedly turned physical, even left actress Kelly Reilly in tears and forced production to shut down temporarily.

Sources told the outlet that the disagreement began when Costner, who played patriarch John Dutton and also served as an executive producer, urged Bentley to ignore parts of showrunner Taylor Sheridan’s script and approach a scene differently.

Bentley, known for portraying Jamie Dutton, allegedly refused, reminding Costner that he had signed on for a “Taylor Sheridan show, not a Kevin Costner production.”

That response reportedly didn’t sit well with Costner. A witness claimed the Oscar-winning actor “lunged” at Bentley, sparking a tense altercation that involved pushing and shoving. Crew members quickly intervened before the situation escalated further.

The incident left Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, visibly emotional, according to people on set.

Production was briefly paused after the confrontation, and though no punches were thrown, the tension between the two actors was said to be intense. The Hollywood Reporter noted that this incident may have been one of the early moments that led to Costner’s well-documented fallout with showrunner Taylor Sheridan.

While Costner has since exited Yellowstone to focus on his own multi-part Western project, Horizon: An American Saga, the reported on-set fight has drawn fresh attention to the behind-the-scenes friction that surrounded the hit Paramount drama.

When reached for comment, Costner’s representative declined to address the alleged confrontation. Bentley’s camp, however, acknowledged that a dispute had taken place but downplayed its severity.

His representative described it as a “work-related argument during an emotional and physically tough scene,” adding that the matter was “discussed and resolved.”

Despite the efforts to smooth things over, the reported argument deepened the growing rift between Costner and Sheridan, who were said to have clashed over scheduling, creative direction, and production logistics. Sources close to the show suggest that these tensions contributed to the production delays that frustrated both the cast and the network.

Since Costner’s departure, Yellowstone has continued under Sheridan’s leadership, though many fans still question how the story will wrap up without its central character. Costner, meanwhile, remains focused on expanding his vision of the American frontier through Horizon, a project he’s been developing for years.

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