REPORT: Matthew McConaughey May Not Join Yellowstone Spinoff as Planned
A new report claims Matthew McConaughey may not be riding with an upcoming Yellowstone spinoff series as the Western drama looks to bolster its cast.
According to Puck’s Matt Belloni via his What I’m Hearing newsletter, McConaughey, who was long penciled in as the lead to the Yellowstone sequel series, 2024, won’t join the show unless he sees a script beforehand. McConaughey was attached to 2024 as the central character when it was confirmed Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 would mark the end of the Taylor Sheridan-led show, with the spinoff show being set in the present day.
A Major Name Is Up for the Female Lead Role
Along with McConaughey’s potential involvement, Belloni also reports the Yellowstone spinoff is considering bringing on Michelle Pfeiffer as the female lead. Reportedly, negotiations are progressing and Pfeiffer’s inclusion could be confirmed within the next two weeks. Pfeiffer, who is known for playing Janet Van Dyne/Wasp in various Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as Avengers: Endgame and the Ant-Man movie series, would be the latest female lead for a Yellowstone-related series, joining 1923 star, Helen Mirren.
Plans for 2024 were confirmed amid Yellowstone star Kevin Costner’s exit following creative and financial disagreements. Costner will not return for the second half of Season 5, which is expected to premiere this November following production delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year. Along with 2024, the Yellowstone franchise confirmed the development of another spinoff series, 1944, which began development last February and will serve as a sequel to 1923. Production for 1944 is expected to take place in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.
McConaughey would be a big acquisition for the Yellowstone franchise and massage the blow of losing fellow Oscar winner, Costner, who starred as John Dutton, the all-conquering owner of the titular Montana ranch. Known for his film features in Dallas Buyers Club, The Wolf of Wall Street and Interstellar, McConaughey has seldom delved into the TV world. His small screen credits included cameos in King of the Hill and Sex in the City, plus a leading voice role as Elvis Presley in Netflix’s animated sitcom, Agent Elvis.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 will come nearly two years after Part 1 aired, with six episodes to be released despite Sheridan’s earlier hints that Part 2 could be longer. Meanwhile, 1923 will soon restart filming Season 2 after production was halted due to the strikes, as confirmed by star Brandon Sklenar.
