Taylor Sheridan partnering with Billy Bob Thornton seems like a match made in heaven. Landman has entertained audiences and critics alike. But Sheridan still had to pitch the idea of the television show to Thornton.
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From the sounds of things, Sheridan really didn't have anyone else in mind for the lead role. So he broke out comparisons to other Thornton projects when trying to woo the actor to step in for the project.
Fortunately, he was able to make it happen.
"I said, 'I want to make a drama with Bad Santa running an oil company,'" recalled Sheridan on The Bill Simmons Podcast. "He's like, 'That's the greatest f*cking thing I've ever heard in my life. Yeah, let's do it!'"
Billy Bob Thornton Talks 'Landman'
Thornton starred as a conman turned Santa Claus in Bad Santa and its sequel. It is safe to say that both films hold a special place in Thornton's heart. Thornton's Tommy Norris on Landman isn't too far removed from that character. So the comparison certainly fits.
Thornton brings a special quality to his projects. He turns cuss words into entertainment. The performance earned hima Golden Globe nomination. The actor certainly doesn't phone things in. Since starring in the show, Thornton has become one of the TV projects biggest supporters.
He regularly explains why he thinks the show connects with audiences.
"We thought it was going to appeal to the middle of the country. That was the hope for it. We didn't think the coasts would go for it — we certainly didn't think it would become this huge international hit," he said. "We had no idea; we're humbled by that. And very proud of it. We have fans in Uganda, Australia and everywhere else."
Thornton added, "I think a lot of it, and this is just my feeling, it's because the characters are all unabashedly who they are, and they're just honest about everything. Taylor's shows normally will have a vibe, and this has several — emotion and humor and drama and absurdity and danger, all those different things. I think the variety on it appeals to people."
