Billy Bob Thornton joined his co-stars Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, and Andy Garcia at Newport Beach TV Fest’s Landman – Outstanding Drama Series panel.
Thornton shared his story about being cast in the oil drama, saying about his initial response to the script, “I like this. I like it very much.” Thornton described how his role as Jim Courtright in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel, 1883, led to his casting. Read Thornton’s full comment below:
What Billy Bob Thornton’s Comments Mean For Landman
Thornton Confirmed Sheridan’s Unconventional Casting Process Applied To Landman

Billy Bob Thornton described how Taylor Sheridan excels in his casting, and Landman solidifies Sheridan’s ability to attract top talent for his parts, sometimes writing them exclusively for the stars he aims to cast.
For instance, when selecting the cast of 1923, Sheridan flew Harrison Ford down to his ranch in Texas to convince him to take the part of Jacob Dutton. In the interview, Sheridan recounted telling Ford, “I need to know who I’m writing for.” Sheridan remarked that he “poured about two bottles of wine down [Ford]” to convince him to take the role (per Deadline).
Thornton’s story exemplifies Sheridan’s casting finesse in garnering big names to fill his productions.
Our Take On Billy Bob Thornton’s Landman Comments
There’s Momentum From Big Names Behind Taylor Sheridan’s Productions
Billy Bob Thornton’s remarks shed more light on the new phenomenon that is Landman, telling the story of how he became the most likable Landman character.
Thornton’s role in 1883, his first stint in the Yellowstone franchise, which was relatively brief, led to his position in the oil drama’s leading role. I enjoyed hearing this detail, gaining a deeper appreciation for Taylor Sheridan’s casting process, knowing that there’s a story between Thornton’s role in 1883 and Landman, with one excellent performance leading to the next.
