Harrison Ford’s involvement in the Yellowstone universe as patriarch Jacob Dutton is a huge achievement for the series. In a recent interview, Ford revealed that Taylor Sheridan’s scripts resonated with him on a deeply personal level due to similarities with some of the most difficult moments in his life, such as his wife’s experience during Ford’s 2015 airplane crash.
He also expressed how he feels honored to be able to serve the ideas in the script and bring them to life. Ford will reprise his role as Jacob in Yellowstone 1923 season 2. Overall, his connection to the show goes beyond just acting, making his contribution even more impactful.
“It’s disappointing in the fact that people were looking forward to ‘1923’ coming back and having production in town, but we understand,” offers Butte Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher.
“It’s been great for Butte. But, you know, Butte’s in a great spot right now, I think. We’re on an economic upturn and we’re excited about the future of our community,” Gallagher adds.
1923 brought that economic boom to the Montana town while making great use of its historic downtown. Butte was on full display in early episodes of Season 1 as the 20th century Duttons learned to navigate their rapidly-changing times. And when the Duttons entered a bank or soda shop, it was the civic center that housed those interior sets.
Initially, Season 2 production was pushed back amid the writer’s strike. But even a November deadline couldn’t be reached amid Hollywood’s current state.
“They just could not build everything, be ready to film before November, and get it all done, they had lost the timing of that,” details Butte Civic Center Manager Bill Melvin.
Now, under their new agreement handed to 1923, production will continue to pay $75,000 a month until everything moves out at the end of August 2023. Production also agreed to pay $200,000 to replace new bleacher seats that were damaged during Season 1 filming. Butte’s Council of Commissioners will vote on whether to approve the agreement or not soon.
Melvin will then open the civic center back up to activities and functions for locals at the end of August. And the Montana town will return to normal.
A loss of authenticity for Season 2?
Despite these steep shakeups, Paramount won’t let 1923 fizzle out. The show was too much of a critical and commercial success for that. Instead, the Yellowstone prequel may pack up and move to Texas like the rest of the franchise.
“We shot here all year last year and they shot lots of backplates. It’s real easy to make Texas look like Montana. If you have a building, take the background out, and throw in some mountains. Now, all of a sudden, it’s Montana,” Rob Cox, a location manager for 1923 Season 1, tells KXLF 4.
Sheridan is a Texas native, and has finalized his purchase of the largest ranch in the state, the Four Sixes. So moving all of Yellowstone to the Lone Star State makes a great deal of financial sense. But with the heart of his Dutton epoch still in Montana, this would come at a great loss of authenticity.
“It was amazing to watch all of those people who know what they’re doing just kind of come together and do it, and to watch the town go from not being a set to being a set was pretty amazing,” Cox adds of their Butte heyday.
For now, 1923‘s Season 2 production has been “delayed indefinitely” alongside every other project in Hollywood (outside the few granted SAG-AFTRA waivers). And it may be a long time before audiences see more from this prequel. Let alone Yellowstone‘s final episodes to round out Season 5.
For more on the future of the franchise, see our ‘Yellowstone’: Latest from Kevin Costner & cast on Season 5 return next.