Bye, bye boss.
“Landman” star Billy Bob Thornton is weighing in on the news that Taylor Sheridan is ending his reign at Paramount and moving to NBC Universal.
“I think the shows that are at Paramount, stay at Paramount, so I don’t think those are affected,” Thornton told The Hollywood Reporter at the show’s Nov. 11 Season 2 premiere.
Thornton, 70, stars on “Landman” as Tommy Norris, a landman for an oil company.
“His deal is for the future. And who knows what that holds,” the “Bad Santa” actor added. “Taylor is a brilliant guy, and I’m sure wherever he goes, whatever he does is gonna be successful. At least I know it’ll be real.”
Sam Elliott, 81, who is joining the cast as Tommy’s father, told the outlet, “It’s not gonna impact the future of this series because everything that Taylor had at Paramount is gonna stay at Paramount. It’s not like he’s taking it there.”
“The Universal thing, as I understand, it’s a whole new deal,” he noted. “So it’s just great for Taylor’s world. I think it’s fantastic.”
On Oct. 27, THR broke the news that Sheridan, 55, is departing Paramount for NBC Universal.
Under Paramount, Sheridan created “Yellowstone,” the spinoffs “1923″ and “1883” and other star-studded shows including “Lioness,” starring Zoe Saldana, “Tulsa King,” starring Sylvester Stallone, “Mayor of Kingstown” starring Jeremy Renner, and “Landman.”
Paramount still owns the work that Sheridan created for it. So, shows such as “Tulsa King” will not move over to NBC, and neither will future shows in the “Yellowstone” world such as the rumored “6666” ranch spinoff.
Sheridan’s contract with Paramount ends in 2028. His five-year contract with NBC Universal is reportedly worth $1 billion. Under that contract, he’ll start making movies for NBCU in 2026, and TV shows in 2029.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Sheridan’s Paramount exit came amid disagreements with the new CEO David Ellison after the company’s merger with Skydance Media.
Ellison reportedly suggested a series tied to America’s 250th anniversary next year. Although “Yellowstone” had widely been deemd a conservative show, Sheridan previously told the New York Times that he was “apolitical publicly” and wanted to show all sides of the political spectrum.
Allegedly, he told Ellison that he didn’t want to make a show “too politically charged.”
Additionally, Sheridan’s exit from Paramount reportedly came amid a disagreement involving Nicole Kidman, who is also in “Lioness.”
Paramount allegedly cast the “Big Little Lies” actress in a separate series, “Discretion,” without consulting Sheridan, creating potential scheduling conflicts. Sheridan interpreted the deal as “a lack of respect” for his projects.
During the Nov. 11 “Landman” Season 2 red carpet, Demi Moore, 63 – who is also in the show – stunned in a plunging lace gown. Ali Larter who co-stars as Tommy’s ex wife, Angela, was also present.
Larter, 49, recently defended Sheridan amid criticisms that Angela is always scantily clad onscreen.
In a recent interview with People, the “Heroes” actress called Sheridan “a provocateur.”
“He loves to write characters that make people respond, that initiate a reaction, a feeling,” she said. “And I think that what’s incredible about our show, and a lot of the shows that Taylor makes, is that they’re all wildly original and authentic to themselves.”
“Landman” returns for Season 2 on Sunday, Nov. 16.
