We’ve known Billy Bob Thornton to be a versatile actor who is committed to his craft and always delivers unforgettable performances. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a drifter, a villain, or a complex anti-hero, he can do it all! But even an actor of his level can sometimes struggle, and find their work to be challenging.
Recently, the seasoned actor spoke about one such instance from his career that tested his resilience like no other! His candid admission makes one wonder about the harsh realities that can sometimes come with a lucrative career, i.e., being an actor in Hollywood.
Billy Bob Thornton Recalls The Hardest Scene From A Simple Plan
Billy Bob Thornton is known to push his limits, and he’s done it all, from action-packed sequences to scenes that require emotional depth. But in an interview with Collider, he was asked about the time when it was extremely difficult for him to perform. The actor did not miss a beat and recalled a scene from A Simple Plan.
There was a scene in a movie called A Simple Plan. It was me, Bill Paxton, and Chelsea Ross, who was a sheriff, and my dog Bart. But the windchill that night in Upper Wisconsin was 60 below zero.
A simple outdoor scene somehow became an endurance test because the weather in Wisconsin showed no mercy. And despite the heaters, fighting off the biting cold seemed an impossible task. The actors were constantly shivering, and couldn’t get close to the heat, or else their clothes would catch fire. In such a freezing temperature, Thornton had to give it all to deliver his lines.
Billy Bob Thornton on Landman
Now fast forward to 2024, Thornton is still pushing limits by starring as a lead in a show like Landman. The upcoming series is created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace and revolves around the oil industry in West Texas. It features a place where roughnecks, billionaires, and criminals cross each other. In the same interview, the actor shared how he got on board for Landman.
I just trusted Taylor because we did not know the arc of three seasons or four or whatever… But Taylor asked me to do this when I went and did a cameo for him in 1883. He said, ‘I’m writing a show for you. It’s called Landman.’
He plays Tommy Norris, a crisis executive who tries his best to survive in a dangerous and unpredictable place. He keeps shifting back and forth between making tough corporate decisions to spending heartfelt moments with his family. Most importantly, the show was also an eye-opener for Thornton himself who learned about the oil industry.
From spending freezing nights on the sets of A Simple Plan, to diving into the complex world of Landman. Billy Bob Thornton has shown immense dedication to his craft, and we are more than eager to see how he breathes life into his new character on the much-anticipated show.
You can watch Landman on Paramount+
