Legendary Western Star Has No Interest in Appearing in Taylor Sheridan’s Other Hit Series After ‘Landman’

Taylor Sheridan‘s drama highlighting the high risks, high rewards of the Texas oil fields is back on Paramount+ with Landman Season 2. After the tumultuous Season 1 finale, Billy Bob Thornton‘s Tommy Norris must take in the reins after the passing of Monty Miller (Jon Hamm). In addition, Sheridan introduces a new face to the fold, with the legendary Sam Elliott joining the ensemble as T.L. Norris, Tommy’s father.

In the midst of the transpiring Big Oil drama, Thornton teases Collider’s Steve Weintraub that Season 2 will be a journey for the father and son, attempting to “heal the fractured nature of the relationship.” This, on top of the ever-increasing pressure from M-Tex Oil’s new reigning queen Cami Miller (Demi Moore), and a new cartel presence with Andy Garcia‘s Galino. Landman Season 2 also stars Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, James Jordan, and Colm Feore.

Check out the full conversation in the video above or the transcript below, where Thornton and Elliott reflect on the most impactful roles of their careers, and how those projects changed them. They also discuss why Sheridan just can’t help but strike gold with his movies and shows, and admit which Sheridan project they wouldn’t want to cross.

Sam Elliott Says Taylor Sheridan’s ‘1883’ “Changed My Game”

The two discuss how previous projects impacted their lives and careers.

Image via Paramount+

COLLIDER: I’m a big fan of both of you. You both worked on a ton of cool stuff. I’m curious, which previous project changed you as an actor or as a person through working on that project?

SAM ELLIOTT: I can honestly say that 1883 probably changed me a little bit. I’m not sure I want to talk about how much it changed me, but it changed my game personally on a lot of levels. Number one, the physical part of it. We were outdoors in 110 degrees at different times, and we were up in the snow in Montana at different times. Always on the move. We shot a few interiors in Fort Worth, but the rest of it was all outdoors and on the move with livestock and wagons and so forth. So, it was a tough show on that level.

But beyond that, there was Taylor [Sheridan]’s script and the tale that we’re telling. It was just this incredible gift to an actor. So it made me appreciate being there, I guess, more than anything else. The elements were part of it. It’s not like we suffered through it. We put up with it because it was part of it. And having Taylor’s material to deal with, and us being able to tell that story, it made me grateful. I’ve always been thankful for my career and all that, but after 56 years or whatever it is, to have something like that laid in my lap, it just made me grateful.

BILLY BOB THORNTON: Oh, yeah. My turn. I’m sitting here listening to Sam and I get mesmerized. Landman has really made an impact on me personally and as an actor, but before that, any previous project, I’d say, A Simple Plan. I mean, Sling Blade I don’t count, because that was my own thing and all that, but when I did A Simple Plan, it did something to me. I think it was the first time I did anything of that stature. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to keep playing that character. And then the one right after it, The Man Who Wasn’t There. I didn’t want it to end either. I don’t know how it changed me other than seeing the joy you can get out of this.

Billy Bob Thornton Teases a “Fractured” Relationship in ‘Landman’ Season 2

They also share why Sheridan’s writing resonates so deeply.

Image via Paramount+

I’ve seen the first two episodes of Season 2, and it’s clear you guys have a very great, loving relationship. I’m sort of joking around, but what do you guys want to tease people about Season 2, and what adventures you two are going to get into?

THORNTON: It’s kind of hard to tease anything without just telling you what it is, but I can say this. As Sam calls it, obviously, in the first couple of episodes, it’s a very fractured relationship to begin with. It’s a journey trying to heal the fractured nature of the relationship. Like with all the other characters, you’ll see a lot of emotion in it.

Billy, one of the things about Tommy, which I’m sure you relish, is that he goes through such massive swings. He can be so angry at someone and then be trying to protect his daughter, and then you’re arguing at the radio. It has to be delicious. Can you both talk about Taylor’s writing and what he brings to the table? It really enchants so many millions of people around the world.

THORNTON: You hit it on the head there. Taylor’s writing is so good, and he draws his characters very clearly. Sometimes you’ll read a script that’s written by a particular writer where everybody kind of talks the same. They only write in one voice. Taylor writes a different voice for everybody. I was very fortunate that he wrote this for me. I was so proud when I first read it in Season 1. And you’re right, it’s got so many different colors to it, you know? That’s what actors pray for. We hope to get parts like that, where you can show just about every side of a human.

Sam, if you don’t mind, what is it about Taylor’s writing that really resonates with you?

ELLIOTT: I just think if you go back, looking at Taylor’s early work and the feature films that he’s done, or what he’s been doing since underneath this banner at Paramount, which included a show called 1883 that I was fortunate to do, regardless of what the subject matter is and where it comes from, he just seems to know about it. Whether that’s through something that he’s just come to know or whether he picks something and researches it and gets in deep to it, he knows about it, and he tells the truth about it. That is the great gift for us actors. That’s the thing you want more than anything out of a screenplay: well-written material that tells the truth. Even if it’s outrageous, as much of this is, you can still be outrageous and still be honest. I don’t even know what to tell you. Taylor paints these beautiful pictures, and they’ve got a lot of colors to ‘em. It’s really a joy. Our responsibility is to convey what Taylor puts on the page, and it’s a great responsibility, but it comes with a lot of rewards, too, if you can pull it off.

Sam Elliott Isn’t Interested in This Taylor Sheridan Crossover

Sorry, Jeremy Renner.

Image via Paramount+

If you could crossover with another Taylor Sheridan show, besides 1883, what would you guys love to crossover with? Landman meets…?

ELLIOTT: Wow. Landman meets… I don’t know.

THORNTON: Another one of Taylor’s shows?

I was thinking like Mayor of Kingstown. That’d be an interesting mix.

ELLIOTT: I’m not sure I’d want to go to Mayor of Kingstown. That’s so dark. There is no humor in that world. I’m spoiled with the humor in this show.

THORNTON: Yeah, I don’t know.

ELLIOTT: I’m gonna back up and go back to 1883.

THORNTON: And I’d probably follow you.

Landman Season 2 is available to stream on Paramount+ now, with new episodes releasing every Sunday.