Kelly Reilly's new Yellowstone ending hint makes John Dutton's death more likely. Taylor Sheridan's five-season modern Western Yellowstone has spawned many spinoffs.
Kevin Costner, who plays John Dutton, assisted Yellowstone early on. Despite Yellowstone's popularity, Costner left due to conflicts with Sheridan and his focus on directing Horizon, a multi-part picture.
Thus, Yellowstone season 5 part 2 will conclude the main series, but a followup series starring Matthew McConaughey may be in the works.
Yellowstone's many spinoffs have expanded the universe beyond Costner, and it will continue to grow once he leaves.
No filming dates have been announced for Yellowstone season 5's second half, and Costner hasn't committed to returning to film additional scenes.
John Dutton will die in Yellowstone's last season if the star returns. Yellowstone has been building to that ending, and prequel series 1883 prophesied that the Duttons would lose the land after seven generations.
Kelly Reilly, who plays Beth Dutton, told Insider she didn't know how Yellowstone season 5 will finish but that it "... will probably be beautiful and epic" but not "happy."
In the sequel, if the Dutton family still has Yellowstone, Costner's absence would be difficult to accommodate. Dramatically, John Dutton's death before Yellowstone's end is appropriate.