Billy Bob Thornton Reveals What It Is Really Like Working With Taylor Sheridan

After a strong first season, “Landman” has quickly become a standout hit in Taylor Sheridan’s growing Paramount Plus TV empire. Starring Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton, the series has fans eagerly awaiting season 2—and it’s a perfect showcase of Sheridan’s signature western style. And while viewers still buzz about the behind-the-scenes shake-up that led Kevin Costner to exit “Yellowstone,” Thornton’s praise for Sheridan offers a glimpse into the creative force behind it all—and maybe even hints at what caused the clash.

Billy Bob Thornton Says Working with Taylor Sheridan Feels Like a Partnership

In a recent interview with Awards Radar, Thornton opened up about what it’s really like to work inside the Sheridan-verse with “Landman.” Known for crafting tightly written scripts and maintaining a clear creative direction, Sheridan’s approach isn’t always collaborative in the traditional sense—but Thornton says his experience has been nothing short of empowering.

“Taylor wrote some wonderful scripts, and his writing is pretty tight,” Thornton said. “But Taylor has actually been very loose with me. There’s not a lot of improvisation on this stuff… but with me, Taylor said, ‘Look, you’re a writer, you’re a director. You get this stuff. We’re partners in this.’”

Thornton even compared Sheridan’s writing to that of the Coen Brothers, noting both demand a certain fidelity to the script—but in Sheridan’s case, there’s flexibility when mutual respect is present. That professional trust, Thornton implied, makes all the difference.

Creative Passion, Not Conflict: Rethinking the Sheridan-Costner Narrative

When “Yellowstone” launched in 2018, it marked the beginning of a modern Western renaissance—with Costner at the heart of it all. As John Dutton, he brought gravitas to the Montana rancher and became the cornerstone of Sheridan’s flagship series. So fans were left wondering when Costner exited midway through season 5: What went wrong?

In truth, it may have been less a “feud” and more a meeting of two creative forces—each with his own vision.

Both Costner and Sheridan are accomplished writers, directors, and producers. Costner’s long-gestating dream project, “Horizon: An American Saga,” demanded his full attention—and its schedule overlapped with “Yellowstone’s” extended filming. At the same time, Sheridan’s tightly structured approach left little room for the kind of input Costner was used to giving.

“I couldn’t help them anymore,” Costner told People. “There were issues with the creative…” he added, acknowledging that his departure stemmed from scheduling conflicts and creative misalignment rather than personal fallout.

Costner wanted to complete his Western epic. Sheridan needed to protect the narrative arc of “Yellowstone.” In the end, both men stayed true to their passions—something that should be celebrated, not criticized.

Billy Bob Thornton returns in “Landman” season 2 in November.

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