“This is someone you don’t want to mess with”: Kevin Costner Was Not Alone, Taylor Sheridan Was Also Adamant to Bring One More Star into His Yellowstone World

Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan were resolute in their quest to bring another star into the “Yellowstone” universe.

Yellowstone’s posse wasn’t complete, so Costner and Taylor Sheridan, determined to elevate the show’s roster, looked for another A-lister. Their mission and vision were clear—inject more grit and intrigue into the show, enhancing the rugged, complex world of the drama series.
Kevin Costner in Yellowstone | Paramount
As the show continued to captivate audiences, this newcomer seemed like the missing piece of the Yellowstone puzzle, keeping the series a TV titan. It was none other than Cole Hauser.

Taylor Sheridan Had His Eyes Locked on Cole Hauser for Yellowstone’s Rip Wheeler

Cole Hauser in a still from Yellowstone | Paramount Network

With its rugged Western drama and a stellar star cast, Taylor Sheridan‘s 2018 drama series Yellowstone has lassoed a massive following. While Kevin Costner’s (our beloved John Dutton) portrayal is undeniably iconic, Sheridan knew another horseman could benefit the ranch’s success. But who was this new star that Sheridan was so adamant to bring into the Yellowstone world? Cole Hauser (or might we say Rip Wheeler?)

Unlike John Dutton, where Costner was the clear choice, Rip’s casting wasn’t as straightforward. Sheridan, however, bypassed the whole audition fomality, declaring to Deadline:

I knew that’s who I wanted, from the beginning. He didn’t audition. I wanted him from day one. There were some things he had done that I saw. There is no subtext with the guy and that’s what I really liked. 

Per Sheridan, Hauser wears his emotions on his sleeve, which is exactly what he wanted for Rip’s character. Plus, Hauser’s portrayal in films like Pitch Black and Tears of the Sun made the Yellowstone writer see a glint of something special in him, even though these movies seemed far from the dusty plains of Montana. Sheridan said of the actor (via Cheat Sheet),

Those [movies] stuck with me and there’s a Midwestern ruggedness to him where you immediately identify that, this is someone you don’t want to mess with. And with Rip, that needs to be clear from the outset. 

Taylor Sheridan envisioned Rip as a character with a Midwestern ruggedness and piercing gaze, fitting the bill perfectly. But there were some hurdles. Convincing Cole Hauser to join wasn’t quite a walk in the park. Luckily, Sheridan’s conviction paid off and Hauser added another layer of complexity (and credibility) to the Yellowstone world.

Of course, Yellowstone wouldn’t be the same without Costner. Sheridan acknowledged this, even hinting at the possibility of Costner directing an episode someday (though a busy filming schedule might make that a tall order), per Deadline. With Yellowstone nearing its conclusion, one thing’s for sure: Sheridan’s casting instincts, both for Costner and Hauser, were spot on.

Sheridan’s Landman: First Look & Premiere Date Revealed

Taylor Sheridan from a still in Yellowstone | Paramount Pictures

Get ready for yet another gritty world of oil with Sheridan’s latest Paramount series, Landman. The modern-day tale series stars Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton as the lead set against the backdrop of West Texas’ oil boomtowns, reported by THR.

Look out for other familiar faces, too! Sheridan veterans like Ali Larter (The Last Victim) and Michelle Randolph (1923) join the cast, alongside some surprising additions—Jon Hamm (Fargo) takes on a recurring guest role, with Andy Garcia (The Expendables), Michael Peña (End of Watch), and Paulina Chávez (The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia) also making appearances.

Mark your calendars, because Landman premieres November 17th on Paramount+. Get ready for a double-episode exploration of the dark side of the American dream, courtesy of Taylor Sheridan.

Watch Sheridan’s drama series, Yellowstone, on Peacock.