Yellowstone: If this actor appears in the series, it’s thanks to Clint Eastwood!

It’s impossible not to think of Clint Eastwood when we talk about Westerns. Both actor and director, the latter left his mark on this universal Hollywood genre and enjoyed international success, especially thanks to Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy.

There is no doubt that Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, dreamed of having Clint the Great appear in one of his series. But unfortunately for him, the 93-year-old legend is focused on his career as a filmmaker and has just finished shooting his new feature film, Juror #2.

Clint Eastwood inspired the cast of Yellowstone

But despite everything, Clint Eastwood indirectly influenced the casting of Yellowstone. Thus, Luke Grimes, who gives his features to Casey Dutton, the youngest son of John Dutton, was chosen by the program makers thanks to his performance in Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper.

Luke Grimes plays Mark Lee in this war film directed by Bradley Cooper. This suspected soldier was the first Navy SEAL killed during the second Iraq War. His performance, which represents the moral complexities of American soldiers, earned criticism from Mark Lee’s widow, but also praise from critics.

Everyone loves Clint Eastwood

in the given interview The Hollywood ReporterLuke Grimes has revealed that his performance in American Sniper had something to do with the role he landed in Yellowstone. The similarities between Mark Lee and Case Dutton’s characters struck a chord with co-creators Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, and Luke Grimes was established in their minds as the perfect actor to play the former Navy SEAL in the Western series.

“I heard that they saw the movie while writing the series (…)” he said in this interview. “And thank God, I don’t know if it increased my chances or if it put me at the top of the list of actors being considered, but I know they’ve seen the movie and they’re huge Clint Eastwood fans like me.”

Series from the world of Yellowstone can now be seen exclusively on Paramount+.

Discover the list of series currently available on the platform.