What To Know
- Taylor Sheridan’s press tour for his new book continues to reveal juicy details about his TV universe.
- In the latest, the megaproducer reveals how he recruitedYellowstone hater Sam Elliott to the prequel and Landman.
Sam Elliott has now been in two Taylor Sheridan-universe shows:1883 andLandman. However, it took some convincing by the producer to lasso the iconic actor into the fold because, apparently, he was not a fan ofYellowstone at the time.
Sheridan appeared onThe Howard Stern Show to promote his new book,How Not to Die in Prison: A Survival Guide, and reminisced about the creation ofLandman and the introduction of Elliott in its second season.
After explaining that he now writes roles with a specific actor in mind — including with1883 andLandman — Sheridan revealed that his initial concept forLandman was based on Billy Bob Thornton‘s performance inBad Santa. “That’s one of the funniest characters I’ve ever seen. That’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen,” he remembered. “So I told [Thornton], ‘I’m going to write a drama for Bad Santa and drop him in West Texas, put him in charge of an oil company. Billy Bob, he’s like, ‘All right, bud. I’m in.’”
As for Elliott, when asked if he was surprised he agreed to join the Sheridan-verse, the megaproducer explained, “Sam, which I used him in1883, it’s funny ’cause I called him, and we talked, and he’s like, ‘I don’t like thatYellowstone. That’s a cowboy soap opera.’ I said, ‘You’re right. I’m not asking you ot be on that. That’s the punk rock me throwing middle fingers at the industry and a lot of other sh*t. This is going to be the grown-up me. I have a story I want to tell. Here’s the story, and here’s the arc of your character.’ And I pitched it to him, and he said, ‘That’s beautiful. I’d love to do that.’ I said, ‘Great. I’m going to write it for you.’”
Sheridan then heaped praise on Elliott, saying, “He’s one of the most delightful human beings I have ever met and a wizard of an actor. You’ve got to pinch yourself sometimes when you sit there, and you see Sam Elliott saying your words. I have to pinch myself more to say that I can honestly call him a friend.”
Landman, Paramount+