Billy Bob Thornton Blindsides Fans With Bold Promise About His Future on ‘Landman’

As “Landman” continues filming season 2 around Fort Worth, star Billy Bob Thornton says he wants to be in the series for the long haul. Speaking with Gold Derby recently, Thornton discussed several aspects of the first season and shared a few hints about what Tommy Norris is up to in the second go-around. Cameras have been rolling in Cowtown since late March on season 2, which will release on Paramount+ in November.

Here’s a look at what Thornton said about the longevity of the show, reuniting with Sam Elliott and what it was like filming that season 1 torture scene.

Thornton wants to be on ‘Landman’ for ‘as long as you want me around’

When asked about if he wants to work on “Landman” for several seasons, Thornton offered a emphatic answer.

“Absolutely,” Thornton said. “I told Taylor [Sheridan], I said, ‘As long as you want me around, I’m here for this.’”

Thornton said that he loves making the show, playing the character and has a real kinship with both the cast and crew. He continued that he’ll be around “as long as they want me” and “as long as I’m able.” Thornton then joked about how when he was younger, he did not have to worry about being “able” to work.

“The truth is at some point, and I’m hoping it’s years from now, but there will be a time where I might have to do like Peter Boyle in ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ and just go sit in a chair and eat cake,” Thornton said.

Thornton on reuniting with Sam Elliott on ‘Landman’

While Sam Elliott has been cast in “Landman” season 2, and has already been spotted around the area, not much is known about his role in the show. Thornton told Gold Derby that he and Elliott have known each other since the 1980s, and have worked together a few times over the years in “Tombstone” and “1883.”

“[Elliott’s] always been a mentor and a hero of mine,” Thornton said. “I love the guy, we have a real special relationship in real life anyway.”

Thornton said it’s been “so good to see” Elliott around set.

While Elliott hasn’t gotten to film a lot of his scenes yet, Thornton said just seeing the 80-year-old actor around “lights my day up.”

“I’ve got these young incoming actors that I didn’t know before we did this,” Thornton said. “I’ve got the old veterans, who I’ve known for years and hadn’t really worked with much. I’ve got those two things and together it makes quite a cocktail.”

Thornton on how he prepared to be tortured in ‘Landman’

Editor’s note: Spoilers for “Landman” season 1 below.

In the “Landman” season 1 finale, Thornton’s Tommy Norris is strapped to a chair, beaten and covered in gasoline by cartel members. When asked about how he prepared to film that scene, Thornton said its about getting in the right head space and spending time alone thinking.

“I’ve had a lot of life experience,” Thornton said. “I’ve been around some pretty weird things, so you just kind of draw on those.”

“Landman” season 1 is streaming on Paramount+.