Billy Bob Thornton blasts ‘Landman’ exit rumors as ‘AI-generated crap'
Billy Bob Thornton is setting the record straight about hanging up his cowboy hat.
The 70-year-old star of Taylor Sheridan’s hit series "Landman" shut down rumors that he’s exiting the Paramount+ drama, calling the claims false.
Speculation ramped up following the season 2 finale, which showed Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, fired as president of M-Tex by Cami Miller, played by Demi Moore, and beginning to chart his next move in the oil business.
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But Thornton said any talk of his departure is completely untrue and blasted online rumors as "A.I.-generated crap."
"There’s an AI report that Demi and I are a couple now, and there’s one that I’m leaving the show," Thornton told USA Today. "They have nothing to do with reality."
Production momentum is already building for the hit series, with Season 3 slated to begin filming this spring. Despite questions surrounding the future of the project, Thornton made his commitment clear. "I’ll be there," he said.
The actor declined to put a timeline on how long he plans to stay on the drama, according to the media outlet.
Thornton, who has starred in "Landman" since its November 2024 debut, argued the rumors don’t match reality — and neither does the idea that he’s stepping away from the show, which was renewed for a third season in December.
"It’s been great working with Sam [Elliott]. And I love doing the show," Thornton said. "I’ll be here as long as it plays out. If it’s five years, great. If it’s six, I’m there."
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The comments come after season 2 left Thornton’s character, Norris, at a crossroads, having been pushed out of M-Tex and forced to reinvent himself. The shakeup is expected to drive much of season 3, with the story likely following Norris as he builds CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle. An official synopsis has not yet been released.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Thornton for comment.
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Ali Larter, who plays Norris’ ex-wife, Angela, previously marked the season 3 renewal with a message to fans celebrating the show’s return.
"So excited to announce we are coming back for season 3! Thank you to the fans that have made Landman such a massive success," she wrote on Instagram. "Honored to work on this show with such exceptional actors and crew. Heart is full."
Taylor Sheridan’s "Landman" explores the West Texas oil surge of the early 2010s, fueled by rapidly evolving drilling technology, and is based on the podcast "Boomtown."
At the center is Thornton’s character, Norris — a blunt, high-stakes crisis manager navigating the ruthless realities of the Permian Basin.
The series also stars Moore, Jon Hamm, Jacob Lofland and Michelle Randolph.