Set of ‘Dutton Ranch’ Is ‘Chaotic’ Because No One ‘Has Stepped Up’ to Be A Leader Like Kevin Costner

Overinflated egos are threatening the future of Dutton Ranch behind the scenes — and a source says that the cast and crew are in dire need of a leader like Kevin Costner was on Yellowstone.

According to a report from the Daily Mail published on Monday, August 10, the actors on the Paramount+ spinoff were butting heads over screentime and who was “top dog” on the set. “I believe it’s the actors that are a huge part of the problem,” a source told the outlet at the time. “Too many people think they are in control over there, and that’s causing a lot of issues.”

Now, a separate source tells Closer that lacking a captain to steer the ship, much like Costner, 71, did for the first five and a half seasons on Yellowstone, isn’t helping matters.

“Kevin is an incredible leader, and he really took on that role with the cast,” the source explains. “He was so great when it came to keeping everybody calm and in check.”

Rumors swirled for years that Costner and Taylor Sheridan had a fallout when the Field of Dreams star left the hit series to work on his own projects, but both men have downplayed the allegations. Still, Costner left a lasting impression despite his sudden departure.

While the source adds that “there were people that didn’t like” Costner, the “majority of the cast and crew” saw him as somewhat of a “north star.”

“Most of them idolized him, and to this day talk about how great having him involved made the whole experience,” the source continues.

In particular, Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly — who reprised their roles as married couple Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton in Dutton Ranch — are two of the people on set who seemingly miss Costner the most.

“Cole and Kelly are always sharing stories about some bit of advice Kevin gave out, or some near drama on the set that he helped diffuse,” the source shares. “They make him sound like some kind of hero, so of course everyone is wishing he could have been involved somehow in Dutton Ranch.”

The source also says it’s hard to believe Costner’s alleged feud with Sheridan, 56, didn’t play some part in the Bodyguard star — who was an executive producer on Yellowstone — not being involved with Dutton Ranch.

“It’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t have been in some capacity if he and Taylor hadn’t fallen out,” the source explains. “Unfortunately, no one has stepped up to fill his shoes, that’s why things are so chaotic [on Dutton Ranch.]”