As was initially reported by Puck News, it seems like the claims of Taylor Sheridan leaving Paramount are indeed true. After such a long partnership between the two parties, they seem to be parting ways after the writer’s obligation to the production company expires in 2028.
And while this may be surprising news to many, it is extremely sad for fans of his iconic western TV series, Yellowstone. More specifically, fans will be disappointed that they might not get the spin-off featuring actor Josh Lucas as a young John Dutton set in the ’90s they were demanding for a long time. But more than his exit, Sheridan had another reason for not doing so.
Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 and 1923 Showed Promise For a John Dutton Spin-Off
Considered as one of, if not the best, modern Western projects, the sheer legacy that Taylor Sheridan created with the Yellowstone series speaks volumes about his creative genius. Alas, the main show wasn’t able to keep that momentum going, as fans’ feelings on it became sour after two seasons.
But at the same time, the prequel series, like 1883 and 1923, proved that the franchise still had promise if the right stories were brought to life, with inspiration straight from its Western roots. Even Sheridan himself talked about 1883’s success with Gold Derby, saying:
With Yellowstone, which is nonsensical — there’s a great writer named Gretel Ehrlich, who calls it my horse opera because it makes no sense and it’s not trying to. And yet it’s a window into a world. There’s a very sort of loving nature with the camera that attempts to sell this place as the idyllic location to raise a family. I subtracted from that in 1883, and tried to make it look slightly more foreign.
Thus, with hard-hitting and gritty shows like the prequel series, stories set in the Yellowstone universe needed to connect with the audience, something that Kevin Costner managed to do with his portrayal of John Dutton. And with small snippets of this character’s past self, played by Josh Lucas, viewers constantly demanded a prequel spin-off with him as the main focus.
But at last, despite all the fan demand and support, it seems like it’s just not in the cards anymore. And with not even a squeak about such a concept being put into production, fans are disappointed.
How Leaving Paramount Is Better For Taylor Sheridan’s Talents
With all the success that Paramount witnessed with Sheridan at the helm of many of their past projects, the reason why a contract renewal didn’t go through was due to the alleged dissatisfaction of the creator with the company. And now, it’s also reported that he will be working with rival companies like NBCUniversal.
Therefore, considering those dissatisfactions, along with problems in creative control, Sheridan’s step to leave the company for rivals may prove beneficial for him in the future. With more freedom at his disposal and a solid reputation he has cultivated, he will be able to create new shows and films with even more creative liberty.
At the same time, he can also explore new avenues and projects that are uncommon from his usual slate of projects through resources that the rival companies possess.
Here’s more information about Yellowstone.
Do you think Sheridan made the right call? Tell us in the comments below.
Yellowstone is available to stream on Peacock (US).
