Billy Bob Thornton on the new show ‘Landman’ oil politics and Demi Moore

On By Littum

Billy Bob Thornton knew that starring as an oil company crisis management specialist in “Landman” was never going to be a glam job.

Thornton, 69, inhabits the role of foul-mouthed Big Oil fixer Tommy Norris in the Paramount+ series from executive producers Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, based on Wallace’s 2020 “Boomtown” podcast that chronicled the impact of the historic West Texas oil boom . Getting into character means more than getting your hands covered in crud, and it shows.

“I look older in ‘Landman’ than I do in real life,” says Thornton, whose Norris contrasts with his fashionable ex-wife Angela (Ali Larter). “Tommy hardly combs his hair, never shaves. He’s always a mess with dirt on his hands and face.”

For Thornton, it’s a powerful introduction to the Sheridan verse (which includes “Yellowstone” and “Tulsa King”). The actor, who spends much of his time touring with his band The Boxmasters, lives a much quieter Hollywood life with his wife of 10 years, Connie Angland, than in his days with ex Angelina Jolie (they were married from 2000-03 ).

The “Bad Santa” star and Oscar-winning screenwriter (for 1996’s “Sling Blade”) spoke with USA TODAY about “Landman” (Episode 3 streams Sunday).

Q: You wear Tommy Norris jeans really low on the hips, which instantly feels West Texas. How do you navigate that look?

Thornton: It’s low and it’s more pronounced with the shirt tucked in. And I have no ass. I really don’t. George Carlin would say, “He’s a guy who has to wear two wallets to have an ass.” Ali (Larter) always pulled my pants up on set. Every day she said, “Babe, come here.” And she would literally come and grab them and pull them up.

Tommy often barks at critics of his Big Oil business and lifestyle. Are you worried about going into politics playing this gritty character?

If someone comes at Tommy, he will defend how he makes his living. That’s why he goes on these arguments. But if they discover a way to make cars and planes run on water, these oil guys will get into the water business. These business people just want to make money. The show is not pro or con; it shows the good, the bad and the ugly of the oil business. But everything is politicized. If I made a movie about Jack the Ripper and the Jack the Ripper actor was great, that doesn’t mean people like Jack the Ripper. We have to look at this as a piece of entertainment.

We can all root for Tommy demanding his change from the bartender in episode 1 because tipping culture is out of control, right?

And if you’re famous, tip even more. Because there are literally magazine sections that talk about tipping and like, “This guy’s cheap.” So I’ve even given a 100% tip before. My wife says, “We’re going to go broke if you keep doing this.” But I don’t want to end up in some magazine.

You work with Demi Moore, who plays Cami Miller, the wife of oil company owner Monty (Jon Hamm). Was it an “indecent” reunion in the 1993 movie sense?

I did two scenes in “Indecent Proposal” playing this guy named Day Tripper. I was there for six weeks, mostly on call, and then they cut one of the scenes. But I got to know Demi and Bruce (Willis, Moore’s husband at the time) really well, and Demi always brought the kids to the stage. Then I worked on three films with Bruce. We were always pretty close.

You’re from Arkansas, so you know Tommy’s F-bomb statement against the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide is going to raise some hackles.

It’s a line I had to say, and I was like, “Dadgummit.” I’ve always liked (former Crimson Tide head coach) Nick Saban, and I’ve followed Alabama, even though I’m an Arkansas Razorback fan. I love people in Alabama and our band is really popular there. I hope they understand that this is just a TV show. Let’s not get carried away.

“Landman” really goes after Pop-Tarts and even compares eating the highly processed breakfast bread to smoking. What is it about?

There are all kinds of things you can have for breakfast. But what is a Pop-Tart? It’s this thing that has almost nothing in the middle with this bread around it.

You are so anti-Pop-Tart.

I’m not anti-Pop-Tart. I love them. But I don’t eat them. I don’t eat processed food.

Tommy’s drink of choice is the Michelob Ultra, which is the frequent butt of his jokes. Is this an odd product placement or a natural choice?

I don’t think about product placement. But it’s an interesting question because I’ve seen other shows with products where the whole idea behind their use is criticized. Of course I don’t drink Michelob Ultra while filming. Whatever it is that I drink, it’s 90% water. So I’m fully hydrated.

(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)