Taylor Sheridan has built an empire on television, so you’d think stars would be throwing themselves at him to try and get on one of his many hit shows. However, one of the biggest names in his bullpen actually had to be reassured he wasn’t getting involved with one of Sheridan’s most successful hit shows before he agreed to sign up.
While appearing on The Howard Stern Show to promote his new book, How Not to Die in Prison: A Survival Guide, Sheridan looked back on bringing Sam Elliott into his TV universe. The writer-producer explained that he has increasingly started writing roles with specific actors in mind, including Billy Bob Thornton in Landman and Elliott in 1883.
Sheridan said the original idea for Landman came from watching Thornton in Bad Santa. “That’s one of the funniest characters I’ve ever seen. That’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen,” Sheridan said. “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.’”
Sam Elliott Wasn’t Sold on ‘Yellowstone’
Elliott, however, apparently required a different pitch. Sheridan said the actor made his feelings aboutYellowstone pretty clear when they first spoke about working together.
“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,’” Sheridan said. “I said, ‘You’re right. I’m not asking you to 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.’”
Elliott went on to star in1883 as Shea Brennan, the haunted wagon-train leader guiding the Dutton family’s ancestors west. He later joinedLandman Season 2, bringing him back into Sheridan’s orbit alongside Thornton.
Sheridan also made it clear that the admiration now goes far beyond casting. “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 is streaming on Paramount+.
- Release Date
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November17,2024
- Network
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Paramount
- Franchise(s)
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Yellowstone
