Yellowstone 1944 Trailer Is PERFECT!

The Yellowstone universe has been anything but quiet lately, and fans barely have time to catch their breath. In what feels like a whirlwind week for Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding frontier saga, multiple announcements and reveals have dropped back-to-back, each adding another layer to the sprawling Dutton legacy. We’ve seen our first tantalizing glimpse of the Beth and Rip spin-off, The Dutton Ranch, finally giving viewers a sense of what life beyond the flagship series might look like for one of its most beloved (and volatile) couples. We also witnessed a surprising rebrand of Casey’s long-rumored sequel project, once known as Marshalls, which quietly shed its “Y” to become simply Just Marshalls, signaling a possible attempt to stand apart from the main Yellowstone name.

On top of that, Paramount officially unveiled The Madison, a brand-new series being positioned as the true successor to Yellowstone itself. All of this would normally be more than enough to dominate fan conversations. And yet, somehow, none of these developments feel as momentous as the growing buzz around one specific project: 1944.

This long-teased prequel is shaping up to be the emotional and historical linchpin of the entire Yellowstone saga. While other spin-offs explore the edges of the Dutton universe, 1944 promises to dive straight into its beating heart, picking up the family’s story at one of the most defining moments in American history. And now, after months of silence, there are finally real signs that this project is not only alive—but moving forward.

The speculation reached a fever pitch after Taylor Sheridan himself was reportedly spotted at a Montana steakhouse. At first, the sighting didn’t seem especially noteworthy. Montana, after all, is practically sacred ground for the Yellowstone brand. But then, less than a day later, multiple Yellowstone-related trailers and teasers dropped during the Golden Globes broadcast. Suddenly, that casual dinner outing felt far less random and far more deliberate. Fans began connecting the dots, and one theory quickly rose to the top: Sheridan was in Montana laying the groundwork for 1944.

Rumors soon followed, suggesting that filming could begin as early as the first months of 2026. According to insiders, Sheridan’s presence in Montana wasn’t about leisure at all—it was about scouting locations, coordinating logistics, and setting the stage for production. For a series that has remained stubbornly quiet compared to its siblings, this was the clearest signal yet that 1944 is finally ready to step out of the shadows.

Officially, 1944 was announced back in 2023, when Paramount confirmed it had no intention of letting the Yellowstone universe fade anytime soon. At the time, the studio laid out an ambitious roadmap that included 1944, The Madison, Marshalls, and The Dutton Ranch. Since then, some projects have raced ahead at full speed, while others—most notably 1944—have taken a slower, more cautious path.

Ironically, the show that appears most eager to distance itself from the Yellowstone legacy, Marshalls, is also the one that has moved the fastest. Its first season has already wrapped filming and is locked in for a March 1 release. Meanwhile, 1944, the prequel most directly tied to the Dutton bloodline, has remained cloaked in near-total silence.

But silence, as fans are learning, does not equal cancellation.

As of now, 1944 is still firmly listed as an upcoming Yellowstone prequel. In fact, it was included in The Hollywood Reporter’s October 2025 roundup of major future projects, even after industry-shaking news broke that Taylor Sheridan had signed a massive new deal with NBCUniversal, reportedly valued at over a billion dollars. That announcement sent shockwaves through Hollywood and immediately raised questions about the future of Sheridan’s long-standing partnership with Paramount.

Thankfully for Yellowstone fans, that deal did not erase 1944 from the map. Paramount still owns the Yellowstone intellectual property, and Sheridan’s current agreement with the studio reportedly runs through 2028. That leaves a very real—and very important—window of time to bring 1944 to life. If Paramount wants Sheridan to complete his vision for the Dutton saga before moving on, then the clock is already ticking.

And it’s widely believed that 1944 won’t be the final chapter in the Dutton prequel story. That makes its timely release even more crucial. Sheridan would need 1944 off the ground sooner rather than later if he hopes to continue exploring other eras of the family’s history before his Paramount deal expires. In many ways, 1944 feels less like an optional side project and more like a necessary bridge between generations.

Of course, one topic keeps surfacing whenever 1944 is discussed: money.

The Yellowstone universe is a proven cash machine. Every new installment draws massive audiences and fuels Paramount+ subscriptions, making the idea of shelving 1944 extremely unlikely. At the same time, these shows are notoriously expensive to produce. 1923, for example, reportedly cost a small fortune per episode, with budgets rivaling those of major feature films. In today’s economic climate, that kind of investment doesn’t happen overnight.

So while fans may be impatient, the reality is that a series like 1944 requires time, resources, and careful planning. It’s not something that can—or should—be rushed.

But what exactly will 1944 be about?

The title alone offers a powerful clue. This chapter of the Dutton saga is set against the backdrop of World War II, a period that reshaped not only nations but families, values, and identities. Thanks to 1923, we already know that Spencer Dutton survived his brutal journey and lived well into old age, passing away in 1969. That means he would still be alive—and very likely running the Yellowstone ranch—in 1944.

This revelation makes 1944 a direct continuation of 1923, rather than a distant or disconnected prequel. It also opens the door for Brandon Sklenar to return as an older, battle-worn Spencer Dutton. And Sklenar has been vocal about his desire to step back into the role. He’s spoken enthusiastically about the idea, even joking about the physical transformation required to age Spencer up—crow’s feet, graying hair, and all.

More importantly, Sklenar has shared how deeply the character affected him on a personal level, describing Spencer as a role that genuinely changed who he is. His willingness to return adds emotional weight and continuity to the project, reinforcing the idea that 1944 is meant to be a cornerstone of the Yellowstone mythos.

Fans will also remember that 1923 ended on a heartbreaking note. Spencer lost Alexandra, who held on just long enough to give birth to their son before dying. That child was revealed to be John Dutton II—the father of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton III. With that single reveal, 1944 was positioned at one of the most crucial junctions in the entire Dutton family tree.

By 1944, John Dutton II would be coming of age, growing up under the looming shadow of global war and a ranch that has never truly known peace. The series is expected to focus heavily on his formative years, finally showing how the Dutton legacy was forged between generations. Father-and-son dynamics will take center stage, offering an intimate look at how values, burdens, and responsibilities are passed down.

Complicating matters further, Spencer is known to have had another child with a different lover. That means 1944 will explore Spencer navigating life as a father to two sons at very different stages, each representing a different path forward for the Dutton name.

All of this will unfold against the grim realities of World War II. Although the war would be nearing its end in 1944, its presence would be felt everywhere. Men would be leaving the ranch to fight. Those who returned would be forever changed. Resources would be scarce, moral questions would loom large, and the very survival of the Yellowstone would be under constant threat.

Given how deeply 1883 and 1923 were shaped by their respective historical moments, it’s almost certain that 1944 will lean heavily into the emotional, psychological, and moral cost of war. And that’s precisely what could make it the most powerful Yellowstone spin-off to date.

So where does that leave us now?

As it stands, 1944 remains officially in development and is expected to air on Paramount+ alongside 1883, 1923, and Yellowstone. It’s widely believed to be a direct sequel to 1923, both narratively and thematically. If filming does indeed begin in early 2026, then a late 2026—possibly November—release window seems likely.

In other words, the pieces are finally falling into place. The wait may be long, but all signs suggest that Yellowstone 1944 is coming—and when it does, it may redefine the entire Dutton legacy.