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Yellowstonehas been one of the most significant television shows over the recent few years. It boasts a magnificent cast and a much-celebrated universe centering around the Dutton Ranch.
Besides the worldwide popularity of the show for its content,Yellowstonehas also witnessed several off-screen dramas that include legal battles. The show faced a prominent legal battle when creator Taylor Sheridan filed a lawsuit against actor Cole Hauser’s coffee company.
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler inYellowstone[Credit: Paramount Network]Cole Hauser plays a fan-favorite character Rip Wheeler in the Paramount Network series created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson. Both Hauser and Sheridan own coffee companies. The show reached a complicated position when the latter tried to sue Hauser as he had a similar logo for his coffee company.
Why did theYellowstoneco-creator go against Cole Hauser?
Cole Hauser with Kevin Costner inYellowstone[Credit: Paramount Network]Last year in December, it was reported that the renowned American writer cum producer Taylor Sheridan filed a lawsuit against actorCole Hauser. TheYellowstonefans were shocked as Hauser’s Rip Wheeler was a fan-favorite character and was himself an ardent fan of the critically acclaimed show.
“You interrupt me again, I’m gonna knock you out”: Yellowstone Might Have Never Existed if Taylor Sheridan Hadn’t Literally Punched His Way Into Hollywood
In an interview withThe Havok Journal, when asked about his introduction to the show, Cole Hauser admitted that he had been old friends with co-creator John Linson. He spoke highly about Linson and also admitted that he wanted to work with him for a long time.
John Linson and I have known each other for almost twenty years… I meet him when I was in my early twenties. We have always wanted to do something together. This one just worked out, everything just lined up. He sent me the script and I looked at it. In my opinion he is one of the best American writers.
Unfortunately,Taylor Sheridandid not have a very good time with the actor as his co-creator. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the producer filed a lawsuit against Hauser’sFree ReinCoffee company for“trademark infringement, unfair competition and false advertising”.
Sheridan claimed thatFree Rein‘s logo resembled hisBosque Ranchcompany’s logo. To be preciseFree Reinhas an intertwined ‘FR’ logo whileBosque Ranchhas an intertwined ‘BR’.
Real Reason Taylor Sheridan Used Yellowstone to Troll Critics: “I have a lot of opportunities to poke fun”
TheTulsa Kingcreator’s suit claimed thatFree Rein‘s logo was“confusingly similar”to his brand logo. It was also added that Hauser’s brand was allegedly trying to“mistake or to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association”with the ranch. This legal drama created a huge buzz among the fandom regarding the future of Rip Wheeler.
Wheeler was a fan-favorite character and nobody wanted to lose him. Nevertheless, the issue was soon resolved whenBosque Ranch“voluntarily dismissed”its lawsuit againstFree Reins(viaExpress). Although Sheridan managed to tackle this issue, he is reportedly not looking forward to mending his issues with Kevin Costner.
Will Kevin Costner return forYellowstone‘s Season 5 Part 2?
Kevin Costner inYellowstone[Credit: Paramount Network]Kevin Costnerhas been one star inYellowstone. He earned a massive sum of $500,000 per episode as John Dutton in the show. It was reported in late 2023 that Costner will not be reprising his hit role in the show’s much-awaited last outing.
Industry Insider Matt Belloni said inThe Townpodcast that the scripts have been written and everything is sorted but John Dutton“is not going to be in those episodes”.He parted ways with the show after a heated dispute with Taylor Sheridan.
“I fit into the gaps. They just kept moving their gaps”: Kevin Costner’s Original Plan Was to be in Yellowstone Till Season 7
According toDaily Express US, the Oscar-winner left the show for his passion projectHorizon: An American Saga. Unfortunately, it has scored disastrous critical reviews and the actor is reportedly trying to get back to the series by“begging”Sheridan.
Kevin burned his bridges at Yellowstone. But now that his world is crumbling around him, I hear he’s considering begging Taylor to take him back!
Kevin Costner was confident that hisYellowstonetrack record could help him to get success in his high-budget passion project. But given the reported disruption he had caused in the production, it is unlikely that he would be back. Several reports claim that his character would have an off-screen closure in the final part of the series.
YellowstoneSeason 5 Part 2 will be premiered on July 05, 2025, on Peacock.
Subham Mandal
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1461
Subham Mandal is currently working as a content writer for FandomWire with an ardent interest in the world of pop culture. He has written more than 1000 articles on different spheres of modern pop culture and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He’s also an experienced student journalist having demonstrated work experience with the Times of India. He aspires to be a column writer in the future.
