Taylor Sheridan says this sci-fi film landed Cole Hauser his ‘Yellowstone’ role
An undersung sci-film is the reason Cole Hauser was cast in “Yellowstone,” according to series creator Taylor Sheridan.
Hauser played hardened ranch foreman Rip Wheeler on the Paramount Network series that ran from 2018 to 2024. The popularity of the character led Hauser to reprise the role on “Dutton Ranch,” a new Paramount+ series that wraps its nine-episode first season on Friday, July 3.
In a recent appearance on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” to promote his new book “How to Not Die in Prison,” Sheridan discussed why he cast Hauser in “Yellowstone” all those years ago.
Here’s what he said.
Taylor Sheridan on why he cast Cole Hauser in ‘Yellowstone’
Simmons told Sheridan that he’s always enjoyed Hauser’s screen presence, but felt like he was finally “unlocked” as an actor in “Yellowstone.”
Sheridan chimed in saying that he’s been aware of Hauser since “Dazed and Confused” released back in 1993. But Hauser’s character in the 2000 Vin Diesel-led sci-fi film “Pitch Black” is what landed him “Yellowstone.”
“He was so good,” Sheridan said. “He was such a heavy actor that understood nuance, and what I mean by that is, there’s actors who can convey emotion. There’s actors who, just their essence feels believable. Then there’s wordsmiths, someone that understands which syllable of a word you stress changes the meaning or the emphasis. There aren’t as many that have that.”
“To have that and have an emotional presence, those are the great ones,” Sheridan said. “And he has that.”
Sheridan continued that Hauser isn’t a “traditional looking pretty boy leading man,” but a man’s man.
When Hauser was coming up, the industry wasn’t looking for those qualities in a leading man so they didn’t develop him, Sheridan said. The industry wanted something a little safer, while Hauser has that throwback appeal.
Hauser didn’t even have to audition for “Yellowstone,” Sheridan said he just knew.
“He felt a little more ‘70s as an actor, that style,” Sheridan said. “Which is what I grew up with, right? That’s what acting I was always drawn to.”
