Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton has emphatically shut down rumours of his departure from the hit drama Landman, branding the speculation as "AI-generated crap" and confirming his commitment to the show's upcoming third season.
Thornton Blasts Exit Rumours and Confirms Future
In a new interview with USA Today, the 70-year-old actor addressed reports that he would be leaving the Taylor Sheridan-created series after his character, oil executive Tommy Norris, was fired in a recent episode. Thornton dismissed the justification for these claims outright. "There's an AI report that Demi and I are a couple now, and there's one that I'm leaving the show," Thornton stated. "They have nothing to do with reality."
He confirmed that production on the third season is set to begin this spring and left no doubt about his participation: "I'll be there." Thornton expressed his long-term dedication to the project, telling the publication, "I'll be here as long as it plays out. If it's five years, great. If it's six, I'm there."
Record-Breaking Success and Ensemble Cast
The confirmation follows the show's monumental success on Paramount+. The season two premiere made platform history, becoming its most-watched premiere ever with a staggering 9.2 million streaming views, according to data from Sneak Peak. This record-breaking performance solidified the series' popularity and paved the way for its swift renewal.
Landman boasts a formidable ensemble cast. Alongside Thornton and Demi Moore, who plays oil company owner Cami Miller, the series features Jon Hamm, Ali Larter, and screen legend Sam Elliott as Thornton's on-screen father, T.L. Norris. Elliott recently described his character to People as a "fractured man" and hinted at a season focused on healing the complicated father-son relationship.
Long-Term Vision and Fan Celebration
This is not the first time Thornton has spoken about his long-term commitment to Landman. In a November interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he compared it to his time on Amazon's Goliath, for which he initially signed a four-year deal. He suggested the show itself would know when its story was complete, avoiding the pitfall of running too long. "After a while, it’s like, 'OK, we get it. But what are you going to come up with next?'" he mused.
Showrunner Christian Wallace, who jointly interviewed with Thornton for THR, indicated the story has much more to explore: "We barely skimmed the surface in season one and, after season two, I feel like we’re still just skimming the surface."
The official cast for season three is yet to be announced, but co-stars have celebrated the renewal. Ali Larter posted on Instagram, "So excited to announce we are coming back for season 3! Thank you to the fans that have made Landman such a massive success." Christian Wallace also thanked fans for their support. A premiere date for the new season has not been set.
