Harrison Ford Returning In The Next ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff Can Tell The Story ‘1923’ Skipped

Harrison Ford’s Potential Return in 1944 Could Give Jacob Dutton the Most Powerful Yellowstone Arc Yet

Jacob Dutton surprisingly survived 1923, as did his resilient wife, Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren). Against all odds, Jacob made a miraculous comeback after being brutally gunned down in season 1. Though weakened, he displayed an unshakable resolve that became a defining image of the Dutton patriarch. His return to health wasn’t just a personal victory — it was symbolic of the Dutton family’s tenacity, mirroring the fight for legacy that underscores Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe.

As 1923 progressed, Jacob became the anchor that kept the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch from falling into the hands of its conniving enemies, Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) and Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn). These antagonists embodied a new breed of threat — ruthless, modern, and industrial — making Jacob’s old-school strength and moral code all the more heroic. But the war wasn’t his to finish. That task fell to the next generation.

When Jacob’s nephew, Spencer Dutton (Brandon Sklenar), finally returned to Montana — scarred by war but sharpened by loss — the tide turned. Spencer brought with him a ferocity and purpose that allowed the Duttons to reclaim control and put an end to the looming threats. With peace seemingly restored, Jacob made the decision to retire alongside Cara, entrusting the stewardship of the ranch to Spencer. It was a quiet, emotionally earned conclusion to his arc — or so it seemed.

Jacob Dutton’s Legacy Could Be Rewritten in 1944

Now, speculation is swirling around whether Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Jacob Dutton in 1944, the next anticipated Yellowstone prequel. If so, it opens the door to one of the most poignant storytelling opportunities yet: depicting Jacob Dutton’s eventual death — a moment 1923 notably skipped.

The final moments of 1923 fast-forwarded to 1969, revealing the death of Spencer Dutton. In an ethereal reunion, he is seen embracing his beloved wife, Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer), in the afterlife. This bittersweet sequence strongly implies that Jacob and Cara had passed long before Spencer. But their deaths were not shown, only inferred — a narrative gap that 1944 is uniquely poised to fill.

Bringing Harrison Ford back to portray Jacob in his twilight years would allow the franchise to explore new thematic territory — not just death, but what it means for a titan like Jacob Dutton to face the end of his days. It’s a story of legacy, reflection, and the burden of having carried a family dynasty through one of the most turbulent chapters in American history.

Jacob Dutton Could Break a Yellowstone Curse

If 1944 portrays an aging Jacob Dutton, it might also grant him the rarest of accolades in the Yellowstone saga: longevity. Dutton men, for all their grit and perseverance, often don’t live long lives. The harsh reality of ranching, personal vendettas, and generational conflict has claimed many.

There are a few notable exceptions. John Dutton II (played by Dabney Coleman) reportedly lived into his 80s. John Dutton III (Kevin Costner) died in his 60s, despite his commanding presence. Spencer Dutton lived until 1969, making it into his 70s. But if Jacob were still alive in 1944 — potentially portrayed in his late 90s or even 100 — he would shatter the unspoken curse that has loomed over Dutton men for generations.

It would be a deeply meaningful full circle: the Dutton who faced death in 1923, endured loss, and built a future for his family, outlasting them all. It would also allow Yellowstone to reflect on the cost of survival. What does it mean to live that long in a world that’s constantly evolving — especially for a man who embodies tradition?

Harrison Ford’s Return Doesn’t Have to Be Literal

Even if Jacob Dutton has already passed by the time 1944 begins, Harrison Ford’s return isn’t out of the question. Taylor Sheridan’s storytelling often leans into the poetic and spiritual. Jacob could appear in flashbacks, dream sequences, or as a spectral presence offering wisdom and closure — especially if 1944 introduces a younger Dutton struggling with the weight of inheritance.

Such appearances could elevate 1944 beyond a historical drama. They could frame it as a meditation on legacy, with Jacob’s ghost or memory guiding future Duttons through the very land he once fought to protect. In that sense, Jacob would not just be the oldest Dutton chronologically — he’d become the emotional bedrock of the entire lineage.

Harrison Ford’s Potential Return in 1944 Could Give Jacob Dutton the Most Powerful Yellowstone Arc Yet Jacob Dutton surprisingly survived 1923, as did his resilient wife, Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren). Against all odds, Jacob made a miraculous comeback after being brutally gunned down in season 1. Though weakened, he displayed an unshakable resolve that became…