Kevin Costner makes surprising 'Yellowstone' revelation after drama-filled exit

Kevin Costner is open to returning to "Yellowstone" despite his surprise exit after five seasons.

Costner, 69, was a core part of "Yellowstone" as patriarch John Dutton on the Taylor Sheridan series. He is featured through the first half of Season 5, which ended in January 2023. Amid the actors strike and cast shakeups, part two is now expected to drop in November.

"I'd like to be able to do it but we haven't been able to," Costner told Entertainment Tonight Tuesday of his hopes to return. "I thought I was going to make seven (seasons) but right now we're at five."

He added: "Maybe this will circle back to me. If it does and I feel really comfortable with (it), I'd love to do it."

Costner has also thought about how his storyline could continue, telling ET his character "needs to be proactive" but ultimately the choices would be Sheridan's. "I said as much to him a while back. I had thoughts how it could happen, but we just have to see," he added, referring to conversations with the writer and creator.

The Oscar-winning actor spoke about his "Yellowstone" departure for the first time during a Santa Barbara, California, child support hearing in September. The hearing stemmed from Costner's divorce from Christine Baumgartner, which was finalized in February.

Costner testified that a “long, hard-fought negotiation” over splitting Season 5 of the Western saga into two parts was the final straw forcing his decision to leave the Paramount Network series, according to People and Fox News.

“I’ve been told it’s a little disappointing that (it’s) the No. 1 show on TV (and) I’m not participating,” Costner said on the stand, adding. “I’ll probably go to court over it.”

Costner, who is producing, directing, starring and co-written four-part Western movie series "Horizon: An American Saga," said he “changed” his movie schedule to shoot the first part of "Yellowstone" Season 5 once the decision was made to split the season in two, adding, “That’s a big deal in this world.”

Asked on the stand about returning for "Yellowstone" Season 6, Costner said it was "complicated."

Kevin Costner breaks silence on 'Yellowstone' feud, says he fought for return to hit series

"We did negotiate," he explained. "There were issues about creative. I tried to break the log jam. They walked away."

Costner said that he was offered $24 million to star in "Yellowstone" Seasons 5, 6 and 7 before scheduling broke down and the show was canceled.

'Yellowstone': Paramount announces end to Kevin Costner-led show, adds new sequel series

In May, Paramount officially announced the end of the Costner-led "Yellowstone" original series after five seasons following the completion of the second half of Season 5. The show will be followed by a new franchise sequel (likely starring Matthew McConaughey) with "Yellowstone" in the title.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin Costner open to 'Yellowstone' return despite series finale