Kevin Costner is well-known for playing John Dutton in the "Yellowstone" series, but he's not the only actor to bring this character to life. In flashbacks, Josh Lucas portrays a younger version of the Dutton patriarch, revealing different stages of John Dutton’s life and history.
The idea of John Dutton returning in the spinoff Y: Marshals could be feasible even without Kevin Costner reprising the role. Since Josh Lucas already plays John Dutton in flashbacks, producers could continue to explore the character's past or parallel storylines through him or other actors in a younger version, allowing the narrative to proceed without relying solely on Costner's presence.
This opens narrative opportunities where the character evolves through different timelines, maintaining the connection to the original show while expanding the universe organically.
"Remember, Kevin Costner is not the only actor who plays John Dutton. In flashbacks, Josh Lucas portrays the Dutton patriarch."
Exploring John Dutton's character through flashbacks offers a creative path for Y: Marshals to feature him without Kevin Costner, enriching the storyline by focusing on different time periods.