Kevin Costner Shares Bad 'Yellowstone' Future Update

It's starting to seem like a lock that Kevin Costner isn't returning to "Yellowstone."

The hit series is starting production on the rest of the fifth and final season soon, and there's one question on everyone's mind ahead of the November return:

Will Costner finish out the series?

All signs point to the answer being no, but fans are still holding out hope. Well, it seems unlikely a return is in the cards, judging from some new comments from the show's star.

Kevin Costner talks relationship with Taylor Sheridan.

It's not a secret drama has consumed the future of the neo-Western from Taylor Sheridan. There are seemingly never-ending issues. With production right around the corner, have the two ironed out their differences? It doesn't appear that's the case.

"No, we haven't [talked]," Costner told Entertainment Weekly when discussing whether or not he's in the mix for the show's final episodes.

I think it's safe to say that if the two aren't speaking shortly before cameras are set to roll, then it's probably the end of the road.

However, Costner is also making it clear that he's not ruling out working with Sheridan again if the opportunity comes up.

Will Kevin Costner return to "Yellowstone" for the final episodes? (Credit: Paramount Network)

"He's doing special work in a lot of different ways. He's very prolific about the things he does, and if he sees me in something that he wants to do, I'll look at it just the way I did Yellowstone and maybe we will end up doing something together. He likes a lot of the things that I like, and the idea of us working together is not out of the question for me. The subjects he chooses are very interesting to me. I like a lot of that stuff. Yellowstone stands as something that could continue. But that is a Taylor question. But other things that he's doing I think are really, really good. He likes the same subjects that I do," Costner added.

So, while they're not speaking, he's definitely signaling that he'd like the door to remain open on still working together.

His comments echo comments made back in April when he told EW, "I'd like to be able to do it but we haven't been able to...I thought I was going to make seven [seasons] but right now we're at five. So how it works out -- I hope it does -- but they've got a lot of different shows going on. Maybe it will. Maybe this will circle back to me. If it does and I feel really comfortable with [it], I'd love to do it."

Translation: Costner wants back on the show. Sheridan doesn't appear to have the same feeling.

More than anything, I just hope fans get the ending we deserve. We've invested roughly six years into the saga of the Duttons, and it would be awful if the ending is anything other than great. Can Sheridan get the job done without Costner in the mix? I'm sure he can but it will definitely be interesting to see how John Dutton is written off the show. Hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.