Kevin Costner reportedly 'lunged' at Yellowstone co-star in heated on-set incident

There were plenty of heated moments throughout Yellowstone's five seasons, and a new report claims that on one occasion it spilled into real life.

A lengthy report from The Hollywood Reporter on star Kevin Costner's divisive reputation and career claimed that tensions between Costner and his co-stars came to a head with a scuffle between him and Wes Bentley.

Costner, 70, who played patriarch John Dutton and served as executive producer, was filming a tense scene with Bentley and Kelly Reilly, who played his children, on a soundstage in Utah.

The only place you can stream every episode of Yellowstone is on Stan.

The star had reportedly been pushing Bentley to veer from series creator Taylor Sheridan's script, which Bentley refused to do, claiming it was Sheridan's show, not Costner's.

"Kevin didn't like that, and he lunged at him," a source who was present claimed.

"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 insider said Reilly ended up in tears and production briefly shut down.

Costner's spokesperson declined to comment on the near fisticuffs, but Bentley's confirmed the "work related argument during an emotional and physically tough scene" took place, saying it was "discussed and resolved".

READ MORE: Another Aussie actor confirmed for Yellowstone's Beth and Rip spinoff series

The alleged incident was a tipping point on an already cracking power struggle between creator and star, who several sources described as "diva-like", according to THR.

While Costner was the 'big fish' in Yellowstone's early seasons, it's runaway success tipped the power dynamics in the favour of Sheridan and many on set felt loyal to him.

"The incident with Wes was the line in the sand. Everything was different after that," a second insider who witnessed the fight said.

Costner left the series ahead of its final Season 5 Part 2, confirming in a video to his Instagram by speaking of a conflict between filming and production on his movie passion project, Horizon.

His character John Dutton was killed off in the first episode of the final installment, shocking fans.

READ MORE: Kevin Costner's shares his thoughts on how Yellowstone really should've ended after his character was killed off the show

In December 2024, Luke Grimes, who played Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone, told Esquire that filming since Costner's absence had been very different.

"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," he told Esquire.

The only place you can stream every episode of Yellowstone is on Stan.

Nine Entertainment Co (the publisher of this website) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest news from your favourite shows via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.