Apparently, Kevin Costner likes to do things his way. A new story in The Hollywood Reporter focuses on the Yellowstone star and his alleged bad behavior, including an alleged on-set altercation with Wes Bentley.
According to THR, Costner and his costar almost came to blows while filming a scene on Taylor Sheridan’s anthem show Yellowstone. Costner, the star and an executive producer of the series, allegedly tried to tell Bentley to ditch Sheridan’s script and play the scene his way. Bentley allegedly refused, saying that he had signed on “for a Taylor Sheridan show, not a Kevin Costner production.”
Costner allegedly didn’t appreciate that remark. “Kevin didn’t like that, and he lunged at him,” an anonymous source who was present at the time told THR. “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.” Their costar Kelly Reilly was reportedly present for the incident and watched on in tears. Production on the series had to briefly be paused.
A spokesperson for Bentley confirmed the altercation to THR and described it as a “work-related argument during an emotional and physically tough scene,” adding that it was “discussed and resolved.” A Costner spokesperson declined to comment on the incident. (Vanity Fair has reached out to Costner and Bentley for comment.)
THR writer Peter Kiefer uses the alleged on-set incident to illustrate how two-time Oscar winner Costner has reportedly alienated himself from the rest of the entertainment industry. The piece notes that Costner has been involved in multiple legal battles and has burned bridges. He settled a lawsuit alleging that he owed hundreds of thousands in unpaid costume fees and ended his working relationship with longtime producing partner Jim Wilson. The story goes on to argue that Costner, who won best picture and best director for his work on Dances With Wolves, has historically had a reputation for “being difficult,” noting that he has clashed with past colleagues like Clint Eastwood and Kurt Russell, as well as Bentley.
But not everyone feels that way about Costner. “The word difficult gets used a lot,” agent Rick Nicita, who represented Costner from 2002 to 2008, told the outlet. “It can mean someone who won’t come out of their trailer, or someone who doesn’t know their lines, or is rude. That’s not Kevin. He wanted what he wanted and knew what he wanted and if he didn’t get it…well, he was never a great compromiser. It’s a firm belief in himself and a confidence that to some can play as arrogance.”
Original story appeared in VF España.
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