It’s no secret that most Hollywood romances have the life span of a pint of milk. Yet, however fleeting many may be, there’s something to be said for A-listers dating each other, and keeping their love lives within the same showbiz circles. After all, it’s a niche existence, and not one that many of us mere mortals can relate to. Add to that the uneven power dynamics if there’s just one famous face in a couple, and it’s no surprise that many celebrities struggle to make it work long-term with people not involved in the industry. Like attracts like, and there’s something irresistible about meeting a person “who just gets it” – and is just as successful and self-sufficient as them. So, with all that in mind, it’s safe to say that Kevin Costner is looking for his match in more ways than one. Step forward a very famous actress, who might just be looking for a rugged, A-list Bodyguard of her own.

According to insiders, Kevin – who’s tentatively stepping back into the dating pool following his acrimonious divorce battle last year – has got his eyes on none other than Sandra Bullock. The pair, who are pretty even keeled when it comes to headlining hit movies and making fans swoon, have been friends for years, but it’s only recently that they’ve both found themselves single at the same time. While Kevin finally signed the dotted line on his divorce from his second ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner in February, following a long and drawn-out court battle concerning payouts and alimony, Sandra’s slowly but surely opening her eyes to the realities of dating again, following the sad loss of her long-term partner, Bryan Randall, last year. The photographer passed away in August 2023 after a three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with insiders saying that Sandra, 60, cared for him tirelessly throughout his illness. It may still be early days but, one year since Bryan passed, friends say Sandra’s cautiously ready to find romance again. Reconnecting with old friend Kevin might just be the pick-me-up they both need. 

“Kevin has known Sandra for years, and thinks she’s smart, beautiful and funny,” says an insider close to the former Yellowstone actor, who most recently was linked to singer Jewel, though he’s insisted they’re just friends. “The fact that Sandra only lives in LA part time and isn’t totally Hollywood is another big draw for him. She loves big, open spaces and country living, so in that way they have a fair amount in common. It isn’t totally out of the realms of the possibility that these two could date, but the truth is that Sandra is still grieving Bryan. That being said, the fact that she’s been friends with Kevin for so long could work in his favour. Kevin is a gentleman, so he’d never push her to take things to the next level, but he can be very charming, too. They could both use some support and cheering up right now.”

It’s fair to say that, despite Hollywood being known for its contentious divorce battles, Kevin’s split from Christine last year might just have reached the hall of fame of bitter, acrimonious splits. In May, Christine filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences – something which apparently shocked and “deeply saddened” Kevin. But it was the following month that the proverbial really hit the fan, when Kevin accused his ex of refusing to leave their $145m mansion in Santa Barbara, despite their prenup stating she had 30 days to leave the property. Finally, she moved out with their three teenaged children, on the condition that she received a temporary monthly payment of $129k – which she later requested to be increased to $161k – from the actor, in addition to her $1.5m divorce settlement. Part of Christine’s argument was that Kevin, who also has four other children from previous relationships, was not allowing her and their kids to live in the style to which they were accustomed, protesting that their sons now had to share a bathroom in her new home.

Finally, the former couple, who first got together in 2000 and married four years later, squared off in court, with Kevin, 69, lamenting that “This is a horrible place to be” and later telling the judge that he couldn’t keep up with Christine’s “inflated” demands. Despite winning his bid to pay a lower monthly allowance of $63k, Kevin eventually came to a private deal with his ex, which they later said was “amicable and mutually agreed”. In December, the actor was linked to Jewel, after he was pictured cosying up to her on Richard Branson’s private Necker Island, but he’s since rubbished those claims, saying in an interview in June, “We don’t have a romance and we’ve not dated. She’s beautiful and smart enough for all those things, it just has never happened for us.” But while the actor has been focused on directing, co-writing, producing and starring in his  Western franchise, Horizon: An American Saga – a four-part series that he’s ostensibly poured all his money and creative energy to – insiders say he’s craving companionship. And this time, he wants to meet his match, financially, as well as emotionally. 

“Kevin is allergic to gold-diggers, and the insane amount of legal fees he had to pay in his divorce last year is not something he ever wants to repeat,” says our source. “Everyone around him thinks that a relationship with Sandra would be a good match. This is literally the first time in thirty years that they’ve both been single and open to new relationships at the same time, and she’s just what Kevin is looking for: she’s smart, self-made and self-sufficient. If he’s able to spend some time with her, he might just be able to break down her walls and convince her to give him a shot.”

After everything that Sandra’s been through, it would take a very special connection to make her dive headfirst into romance again – not least because she’s fully committed to being a mum to her two children, Louis, 14, and Laila, 11. But anyone who’s seen The Bodyguard will know that, when the mood strikes, Kevin is more than adept at sweeping a leading lady off her feet. Time will tell if he’s ready to rise to the occasion.