Kevin Costner isn’t the only actor behind John Dutton. In flashback sequences throughout Yellowstone, Josh Lucas has convincingly portrayed the younger version of the family patriarch, showing that the character’s story doesn’t depend solely on Costner’s presence.
“Kevin Costner is not the only actor who plays John Dutton. In flashbacks, Josh Lucas portrays the Dutton patriarch.”
This opens the door for John Dutton’s return in the upcoming Y: Marshals without requiring Costner himself. By continuing the narrative through Lucas’s interpretation, the show could explore untold chapters of Dutton’s past, offering continuity while respecting the original performance.
Recasting complex characters in flashbacks has long been a storytelling tool in television, allowing deeper exploration of motives, turning points, and legacies. In this case, Josh Lucas’s portrayal gives producers narrative flexibility to preserve Dutton’s influence without depending on Costner’s availability or creative direction.
“It’s not about replacing Costner—it’s about expanding Dutton’s legacy.”
Such an approach could bridge the gap between Yellowstone and Y: Marshals, ensuring the Dutton name remains central to the universe’s evolving mythos.
Author’s summary: The article argues that John Dutton could return in Y: Marshals through Josh Lucas’s portrayal, maintaining the character’s legacy without requiring Kevin Costner’s involvement.