It's time to face the facts, the end of Yellowstone is near!
Following the shock news that Kevin Costner will not be returning to the hit-drama series, fans went into a frenzy with theories on Yellowstone's long-awaited finale.
Watch every episode of Yellowstone on Stan now.
From chilling predictions on how the series will end, to the fate of the Dutton Ranch and guesses on how the story will continue without its main patriarch.
Ahead of Yellowstone's mammoth final installment, which premieres November 11, only on Stan, we've rounded up the most popular fan predictions here:
Who will take over the Dutton Ranch?
With Costner's character potentially out of the picture, there's one popular theory making its way through the fan base.
Assuming some sort of an explosive showdown will take place, fans believe youngest son Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) will reign the ranch.
"After seeing all the death and turmoil that comes from just being associated with the ranch, ownership all falls to Kayce," one viewer on Reddit began.
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"He clearly sees what will happen to his family if he chooses to continue the legacy there. So to avoid losing what little he has left, he consults with Monica on a decision he comes to.
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"She agrees and the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is to be sold. However it is done so through a non revocable trust where it cannot be sold off to corporate land developers," they predicted.
Another fan seconded that idea: "I think that the ranch will end up going to [Kayce’s son] Tate, and he will give it back to the tribe and be annexed into the reservation."
While a third agreed: "I think it 100% ends up going to Kayce... Kacey keeps the east area with the house and meadow plus 500 acres and the cemetery."
With multiple spin-offs in the Yellowstone universe, including prequel 1883, some fans have pointed out a massive clue that could back this circling theory.
"Just finished 1883... The Indian chief said the Duttons could have the land for seven generations, which makes me think it does go back to Tate," one keen viewer commented.
"Yes yes yes I picked up on this too!" said another. "But Tate giving it back to Black Rock and it becomes protected land!!!"
For curious viewers, the exact line is: "In seven generations my people will rise up and take it back from you." To which James Dutton replies: "In seven generations you can have it."
Tate is of Native American descent, so... you never know!
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In a separate thread, one fan had a different take on the popular theory.
"I think that Kayce and Beth would revel in the freedom of not having the ranch," they wrote, predicting the death of John Dutton and subsequent ownership to the family.
"They will hopefully make enough from the sale for Kayce and his family to start their own small horse farm and Beth/Rip to get their own spread," they added, noting the burden of the ranch would be "soul crushing".
Beth steps up in loyalty to her father
Other fans have pointed out that Beth (Kelly Reilly) will step up and fight back out of loyalty to her father.
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"Everyone will be fine. It will end with John saving his ranch, Jamie and Beth coming together as allies against developers and everyone happy," said one hopeful fan on the social forum.
On the topic of Beth and Rip, another fan agreed: "I think they will either get the ranch or make a life for themselves in possibly Texas."
What will happen to John Dutton?
With theories on who will take over the ranch, it's logical to think Costner's character will need to be written off first.
And fans have done a pretty good job coming up with some convincing story lines.
Perhaps an old enemy will emerge (the likes of the Beck brothers) and finally succeed in taking John Dutton down.
Or amid all the family drama, Dutton gets caught in a fatal crossfire.
Maybe Dutton's cancer will return, forcing him to retreat, or he’s called for duty as governor and will pack his bags for Helena.
It would take a miracle for Dutton to willingly drop out of the family fight. But what about love? Who knows, he could resign as governor and run off with Summer.
In a complete flip, he could run off with Governor Perry. The two of them could ride off into a retired sunset, drama behind them.
Who will replace John Dutton?
And if we wanted John Dutton to stay in the series, fans have come up with a plan for Josh Lucas (a.k.a young John Dutton) to take over when the finale comes.
One Reddit user kicked it off: "If Kevin Costner doesn't come back, just have Josh Lucas (younger John Dutton) to take his spot".
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This prompted quite the unusual fan storyline to explain the change in Dutton's present-day appearance...
"John is badly burned while desperately working to save his remaining Montana herd from a raging grass fire," one fan began.
"Emerging after months of hospitalization and multiple plastic surgeries, he looks just like Josh Lucas."
Another fan added: "Have him in a car crash, the plastic surgeon made him look younger when fixing his face."
While a third pointed out: "It works for the day time soap operas!"
Speaking to ET earlier this year, Lucas said he'd love to continue his role as John Dutton – if a spin-off came about.
"I would love it. I mean, obviously I love the world Taylor [Sheridan] has created. I love seeing the generational aspect... I would be there in a second," he told the publication.
As for his thoughts on playing a present day Dutton? Lucas said the role was irreplaceable.
"It'd be very easy to dismiss anyone playing John Dutton except for Kevin Costner," he told US Weekly.
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With the final season currently in production, no one really knows how the series will end, or what the fate of Costner's character will be.
But with the premiere only months away, guess we'll wait and see!
The final installment of Yellowstone will premiere Monday November 11 only on Stan.
The only place you can stream every episode of Yellowstone is on Stan.
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