Paramount Confirms Yellowstone Prequel 1944 Is Still in Development

Q: Will '1944' bring back Spencer Dutton from '1923,' or introduce a new Dutton generation to face the challenges of World War II?

The most likely answer is both: “1944” is expected to reconnect with Spencer Dutton from “1923” while also shifting attention to a younger Dutton generation shaped by World War II. What is confirmed is limited. Paramount has now firmly signaled that “1944” is in active development, but no plot, cast, or character lineup has been announced. That means there is still no official confirmation that Brandon Sklenar will return as Spencer. Still, the strongest reporting and fan speculation point in that direction. Spencer would be in his 50s in 1944, making him a plausible bridge between “1923” and the next chapter of the family story. As a World War I veteran, he would also fit Sheridan’s recurring pattern of Dutton men marked by war, and could plausibly be the older ranch patriarch during the WWII era. At the same time, most signs suggest “1944” will not rely on Spencer alone. The period setting strongly supports the introduction of younger Duttons, especially a son or heirs old enough to confront the war’s direct impact. Reporting tied to the project has suggested the story could center on younger family members such as John Dutton II, with Spencer serving more as a legacy figure than the sole lead. So the best reading of the available evidence is that “1944” will likely use Spencer as connective tissue from “1923,” while introducing the next Dutton generation as the main lens on wartime Montana.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 23

"1944," a long-dormant "Yellowstone" prequel, is still actively in the works at Paramount, according to a new update reported via MovieWeb.
The confirmation addresses years of uncertainty around the project, which had largely vanished from public discussion and still has no plot details or release timeline.
That status aligns with The Hollywood Reporter's October report that "1944" remained part of Taylor Sheridan's plans even after his major NBCUniversal deal.
The series would extend Sheridan's expanding "Yellowstone" franchise, which already includes prequels "1883" and "1923" plus spinoffs such as "Marshals" and "Dutton Ranch."