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Hollywood friendships are full of unexpected twists. In the blink of an eye, friends that seemed solid can get sour, especially in the high-stakes world of entertainment. Such celebrities are no strangers to fallouts and feuds, and sometimes, the most surprising conflicts can be the ones that end up in lawsuits. This is exactly what happened with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and the show’s rugged cowboy, Cole Hauser.
The feud between Sheridan and Hauser in 2023 left fans stunned when the former slapped Hauser with a lawsuit over his coffee brand, Free Rein. Once the perfect team behind one of TV’s biggest neo-Westerns, Sheridan and Hauser’s partnership hit rocky road. It raised questions about Hauser’s character, Rip Wheller’s future, inYellowstone’s finale and the6666spin-off.
For those who’ve followed the rise ofYellowstone,this real-life drama hit especially hard. Created by Sheridan and John Linson, the show premiered in 2018 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show follows the lives of the Dutton family as they face the challenges of protecting their Montana ranch. With6666on the way, Sheridan and Hauser’s falling out has cast a shadow on the show’s closing chapter. Will this legal clash affect the success of the show’s most-awaited spin-off?
Why Did Taylor Sheridan File Lawsuit Against Cole Hauser?
The creative genius behindYellowstone,Taylor Sheridan, shook things up when he filed a lawsuit against Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler in Paramount’s most-watched series. Ever since its premiere, the show captivated the audience with its gritty tale of the Dutton family defending their Montana ranch. Yet, while fans were used to seeing rivalries on-screen, the behind-the-scenes working relationship between Hauser and Sheridan was unexpected and shocking for them.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part B: Taylor Sheridan is Paying the Price For Kevin Costner Feud and 1 Character Proves It
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan’s company, Bosque Ranch, filed a suit in Texas federal court where he accused Hauser’s coffee brand, Free Rein, of trademark infringement. The creator claimed that Free Rein’s logo looks suspiciously similar to his brand and that Hauser’s brand is cashing in on the ranch’s reputation. The court filing received byPeopleaccuses Free Rein of “trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising.” It continues,
“Neither Hauser nor the Defendants asked or received permission or authorization of Sheridan or Bosque Ranch to use a mark confusingly similar to the BR Brand for virtually identical goods.”
In June 2023, Sheridan’s ranch out in Weatherford, Texas, teamed up with Community Coffee to launch Bosque Ranch Craft Coffee, while Hauser also jumped into the coffee game with his own Free Rein Coffee Company in October of the same year.
Taylor Sheridan And Cole Hauser’s Physical Fight
Interestingly, this legal drama isn’t the first rodeo of friction between Taylor Sheridan andCole Hauser. In a 2022Men’s Journal interview, Hauser recalled his early Hollywood days and about his friendship with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. While remembering the days, he shared an interesting story about Sheridan with whom he starred inGood Will Hunting.
Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone Future With Kelly Reilly is a Tough Task After Her Remark: “I don’t want to play that again”
Hauser explained that he and Sheridan actually came to blows the second time they met. Although he didn’t share much details about the incident, he said,
“Does a bear s–t in the woods? I’ve probably been in one on every continent. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with fighting. Sometimes I’m just tired of words, so let’s beat the s–t out of each other. Maybe at the end of it, you’ll buy me a Guinness and I’ll buy you a Bushmills, and we’ll be done. It’s kind of what guys do.”
In anotherinterview with Ryen Russilloon his podcast, Hauser called Sheridan “a really intense guy who works his ass off ‘till it’s over.”
Furthermore, Hauser once opened up about collaborating with Sheridan in an interview withWFAA. He explained that he and Sheridan got to know each other very well and became “dear friends.” He quipped,
“And when you spend time with people, especially as a writer like him, he takes little kind of interesting things, whether it’s who I am as a person, who he is as a person, the things we care about, that we want to talk about in society — and he found that Rip was a good vessel for that.”Hauser also claimed that he was a “big fan” of Sheridan.
Despite the drama, Hauser returned to the Paramount series after a long hiatus in the fifth and final season.
Cole Hauser Demands Raise ForYellowstoneSpin-Off
Yellowstone’sstars Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, and Cole Hauser who played Beth, Kayce, and Rip, have also raised their demands for some serious pay rises to appear in the show’s spinoff series. According toPuck News, the trio has been in a months-long back-and-forth with Paramount and demanding per-episode bumps that would put Reilly at $1.2 million and Hauser at $1.25 million. While Hauser’sYellowstonerate was $700,000 per episode, he asked for a major upgrade.
“We miss him”: Kevin Costner’s Frustrating Feud With Taylor Sheridan is Not the Only Problem Yellowstone Cast Faced Along the Way
Interestingly, it was also revealed that Sheridan initially didn’t plan on including the cast in the upcoming spinoff. However, he reconsidered his decision after recognizing their power, especially after Kevin Costner’s controversial exit.
As rumors swirl that the new series will bring in Matthew McConaughey as the lead, it was confirmed that the spin-off is moving forward with the actor in the main role. Moreover, Michelle Pfeiffer is confirmed to executive produce and star inThe Madison.
Taylor Sheridan And Kevin Costner’s Feud
This wasn’t the first time Taylor Sheridan had gotten into a dispute with one ofYellowstone’scast members. Before Cole Hauser, Sheridan also clashed withKevin Costnerwho played John Dutton in the show. Although Costner and Sheridan have created TV magic together, behind the scenes, things were heated between the two.
Taylor Sheridan Nearly Messed Up Yellowstone’s Most Important Storyline By Casting Cole Hauser In a Totally Different Role
The tensions between Sheridan and Costner began at the time of season 5 when sources hinted at disagreements over the show’s direction and filming schedules. Costner reportedly felt that Sheridan’s planned finale didn’t do justice to his character. However, the feud wasn’t only about John Dutton’s story, but also about an unpaid salary dispute that added fuel to the fire.
As Sheridan shared his ideas for Dutton’s fate and wanted Costner to commit to it, the latter wasn’t having it and ultimately decided to part ways with the show.
Samridhi Goel
Content Writer
Articles Published :376
Samridhi breathes HOLLYWOOD. A seasoned professional content writer boasting three years of experience. Her expertise shines in the realm of entertainment, where she skillfully craft narratives that breathe life into movies, music, and pop culture. She has completed her Masters in Commerce but her obsession with Hollywood lead her to curate content for the same.
