Yellowstone has a huge fanbase so it's not surprising that every time the showrunners announce a new spin-off, sequel, or prequel, the internet explodes with excitement – and the most recent news is that a fresh series in the works features a huge Hollywood name.
After previous speculation, it has been confirmed that Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is joining the Yellowstone family in a new batch of episodes.
Fans are naturally thrilled to see the actor take on a role in the show which many are dubbing the "perfect" fit for him and are wondering what the details are regarding Matthew's acquisition to the Paramount+ franchise. It's early days, but here's what we know so far…
Is Matthew McConaughey joining Yellowstone?
Yes! Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan and Paramount boss Chris McCarthy confirmed via the Hollywood Reporter that Matthew McConaughey is leading the cast of a new spin-off.
MORE: Paramount boss confirms exciting update on Yellowstone spin-off
© Gary Miller/GETTYAccording to the publication, negotiations were ongoing at the beginning of 2023 before a deal was formally struck and confirmed more recently.
What will Matthew McConaughey's Yellowstone spin-off be about?
The details of Matthew's role in the Yellowstone spin-off are not yet known but fans can rest assured that the team at Paramount are clearly working hard to bring together the threads.
As the Hollywood Reporter outlined, the spin-off is just one of ten projects that Paramount boss Chris McCarthy is working on alongside Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan – meaning there could be plenty of Yellowstone content to come.
One star of the show has opened up about "merging" the characters together and how excited he is to see the Oscar-winning actor come on board. "I'm sure [Taylor Sheridan] has great ideas for how these characters merge together," he told Entertainment Tonight, adding: "Part of it is the mystery of the mind of that creator. Bring it on."
© GettyWhen can fans expect the Yellowstone spin-off?
Given the scripts have not yet been written and scenes have not been shot, it's likely that we won't see Matthew McConaughey on our screens in a Yellowstone format before 2024, possibly 2025. We'll keep you posted on the timeline in due course…
What does the spin-off mean for the future of Yellowstone?
Kevin Costner's time on the show has been the topic of speculation and panic among fans after it was previously reported that the actor was unhappy with the filming schedule for the remainder of series five. Not only that, but Variety reported earlier this month that no scenes for the second half of the fifth series have been shot despite aiming for a summer release.
© Danno Nell/Paramount/Kobal/REX/SHowever, Keith Cox, president at Paramount, addressed the concern at a recent panel, telling the audience: "What I can say is our star, the face of our show and the executive producer, are very confident he's going to continue with our show."
It's also been confirmed that the Matthew McConaughey-fronted series will go ahead regardless of the future of season five and Kevin's time on the show.
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