Reflecting on his early career, actor Billy Bob Thornton recently shared how a conversation with Robert Redford during the filming of "Indecent Proposal" (1993) significantly shaped his trajectory in Hollywood. Thornton, now 69 and starring in the new drama series "Landman," described a moment when Redford offered him crucial guidance.
Redford, having noticed a positive review of Thornton's film "One False Move," encouraged him to focus on independent cinema before transitioning to larger projects. This advice, Thornton recalls, proved invaluable. Redford cautioned against pursuing high-paying roles in big-budget films too early, suggesting that a single poorly received project could derail a budding career.
This wasn't the first time Thornton received career-altering advice. He previously recounted an encounter with legendary director Billy Wilder, who, while blunt about Thornton's perceived lack of conventional leading-man looks, urged him to pursue screenwriting. This, Wilder asserted, would give Thornton control over his own career. Thornton took this advice to heart, co-writing and starring in "One False Move," which propelled him into the spotlight.
Following "Indecent Proposal" and adhering to Redford's counsel, Thornton wrote, directed, and starred in the critically acclaimed "Sling Blade" (1996), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Screenplay and an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He later received another Oscar nomination for his role in "A Simple Plan" (1998). Thornton's success continued in television, with Golden Globe wins for his roles in "Fargo" and "Goliath."
Thornton is now starring in "Landman," a new series created by Taylor Sheridan. This project marks a reunion with Demi Moore, his co-star from "Indecent Proposal." Thornton describes the show, based on the podcast "Boomtown," as a contemporary narrative of ambition and wealth within the oil industry, comparing it to a modern, more intense version of the classic film "Giant."
Acknowledging the pressure to deliver a hit given Sheridan's track record, Thornton expressed confidence in the project and the team's enthusiasm for the story. "Landman" premieres on Paramount+ on November 17th.
