The new 'Yellowstone' prequel '1923' is reportedly getting double the episodes originally planned

• "1923," the new "Yellowstone" prequel on Paramount+, is reportedly getting eight more episodes.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that filming for the episodes would begin this spring.

More "1923" is reportedly coming.

Paramount+'s new "Yellowstone" prequel, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, is getting eight more episodes on top of the originally planned eight, according to a Wall Street Journal story published on Saturday.

The report said the producers wanted to "spread out their production costs and nearly double their supply of content."

Filming for the second batch of eight episodes is set to begin this spring, the report said. The eighth episode of "1923" is expected to debut on February 5.

The first eight episodes cost $22 million each, and the next eight are expected to cost $17 million each, the report said.

Paramount declined to comment when contacted by Insider.

The Journal described these additional episodes as "more '1923,'" but the "Yellowstone" universe has sparked confusion before regarding the first prequel, "1883."

Paramount had announced additional episodes of "1883" during an investor presentation last February but stopped short of saying it had been renewed for a second season. It also announced a second prequel, which ultimately became "1923."

The announcement came weeks before the "1883" finale, in which several main characters died, raising confusion about how it could possibly continue.

The executive producer David Glasser later told Insider that fans shouldn't expect a second season of "1883" but that the story would continue. He said the prequels could be thought of collectively as an anthology series.

Whether the case this time is more "1923" or another prequel, it's clear that Paramount is going all in on the "Yellowstone" franchise and wants more of it as soon as possible.

"Yellowstone," which airs on Paramount Network, is the biggest series on cable, with season five averaging 13 million viewers an episode, according to Nielsen.

Streaming rights for past seasons belong to NBCUniversal's Peacock, but Paramount found a way to capitalize on the show's success for its own streaming service.

Its creator, Taylor Sheridan, struck a deal with Paramount to make more TV shows for the company. They so far include "Mayor of Kingstown," "Tulsa King," "1883," and "1923," all for Paramount+.

Paramount has said "1923" was Paramount+'s biggest series debut.