Movies

Billy Bob Thornton unpacks ‘Landman’ finale, details his hopes for Season 2

BBG News

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season finale of “Landman.”

Billy Bob Thornton felt that his new series, “Landman,” would resonate with audiences. Similar to the popular show “Yellowstone,” this Western drama, revolving around a fixer for a Texas oil company, fits seamlessly within the world created by Taylor Sheridan. This universe is characterized by Sheridan’s unique style of creating gruff, no-nonsense characters and narratives enriched with plenty of country music, adult themes, and intense action.

Despite the fact that Thornton, who portrays chain-smoking crisis manager Tommy Norris in the show, is equally astounded by the high ratings of “Landman”. Debuting in November, the series drew 14.9 million households within its initial four weeks, making it the most viewed original production on the Paramount+ streaming platform.

Thornton shared with The Times during a recent conversation that he’s been part of well-known movies for quite some time now, and the reaction has always been impressive. However, nothing compares to what he’s experiencing currently. People approach him daily, everywhere he goes, quoting lines from the movie. Essentially, it’s left us astonished.

While I haven’t received any official word yet about “Landman” coming back, Thornton expressed his satisfaction with how our freshman season concluded.

The climactic whirlwind concludes with a barrage of significant occurrences. Monty Miller, portrayed by Jon Hamm, who is the president of M-Tex oil company, succumbs to complications from a heart attack before transferring control of the corporation to Norris. Following his demise, Cami (Demi Moore, winner of the Golden Globe award), who had mostly stayed out of the picture, begins taking a more active role within the company. Additionally, a group of cartel enforcers abduct and torment Norris. In this episode, we are introduced to Andy Garcia as Galino, a formidable and shrewd crime boss leading the cartel.

In the course of the interview, Thornton, who still performs with his rock group, The Boxmasters, discussed the ongoing season, the finale, collaborating with Sheridan, and his musings on the potential for another season.

Are you surprised at the reception of “Landman”?

Initially, we believed we were creating something truly exceptional, anticipating a positive reception. However, the level of interest and appreciation has surpassed our expectations significantly. Typically, Taylor’s work resonates more with the heartland. Yet, this creation has transcended those boundaries, capturing the attention of not just the interior regions, but also the coasts and other nations as well. This is truly humbling for us. It’s heartening when people approach us to discuss it, as it carries a lot of meaning. There’s an authenticity about it that is palpable, suggesting they aren’t merely selling you a product, but genuinely connecting with you.

What do you feel viewers are connecting to?

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: I pen a character bearing immense weight on his shoulders daily – constant stress is his companion. This fellow, Tommy, yearns for tranquility that seems elusive in his life. He strives relentlessly to avoid the label of failure from his superior. One day, he’s entrusted with a responsibility, which isn’t something he desires but understands it’s necessary. And I believe he’s the ideal candidate to shoulder this task.

Until now, people haven’t had much insight into the workings of the oil industry. Since the release of “Giant”, there hasn’t been a film that delves deeply into the daily operations of this business. That movie resonated with me, and I believe many would appreciate seeing such an exploration. I compared “Landman” to “Giant” because it incorporates strong language.

And they seem to enjoy your performance.

I’ve consistently advocated for authenticity and simplicity, no matter the situation. Taylor crafts excellent dialogue. Occasionally, I slip in my own lines. The roles I played in “Goliath” and “Landman” I would describe as a perfect pair of shoes that fit well within the same world. I strive to embody every character I portray. When you’re playing a role that aligns with your true self, it results in a more powerful performance. I consider myself incredibly lucky that Taylor considered me for these roles.

There’s a lot to unpack in the finale.

I believe Taylor concluded the season quite effectively, leaving room for continuation. What I found most compelling about the finale was that Tommy is now confronting the remainder of his life. This involves deep introspection, re-evaluating his philosophical views, self-identity, and place in the world. Additionally, he introduced Andy Garcia’s character. It’s a moment of tranquility before the turbulence sets in, and there has already been a significant upheaval.

What would you like to see if the show continued?

I’d certainly be eager to see the family relationships evolve further, deepening over time. Additionally, I’m intrigued by Tommy’s predicament with Andy’s character and how it unfolds. Every night, he might find himself questioning, “Am I conspiring with criminals? Seems like it.” The situation is complex, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Now, Tommy isn’t dealing with thugs anymore; he knows his way around them. But this time, he’s facing off against a clever adversary who is equally cunning. It feels like we’re in a game of chess, and I hope the intricacies of this dynamic are explored thoroughly.

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2025-01-12 23:31

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