Taylor Sheridan Pitched 'Landman' To Billy Bob Thornton As 'Bad Santa Running An Oil Company'
Originally published Jul 3, 2026
By Glenn Garner · Deadline
AI-generated summary based on Deadline · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 3, 2026
Key points
- Taylor Sheridan pitched 'Landman' to Billy Bob Thornton by referencing his role in 'Bad Santa.'
- Thornton's character in 'Landman' is influenced by his portrayal of Willie T. Stokes.
- 'Landman' is a Paramount+ series set in the Texas oil fields.
Taylor Sheridan, the creator of the Paramount+ series 'Landman,' revealed that he pitched the show to Billy Bob Thornton by referencing his iconic role as Willie T. Stokes in the 2003 film 'Bad Santa.' The comparison was used to help Thornton understand the character he would portray in the series. 'Landman' explores the world of Texas oil fields and is influenced by Thornton's previous work. The show's development highlights the creative process behind bringing Sheridan's vision to life with Thornton in a leading role.
Read the original story: Deadline — by Glenn Garner
