Billy Bob Thornton sustained minor injuries while filming the highly charged family dinner sequence for the Landman season 2 premiere, “Death and a Sunset.” The incident occurred during a tense moment on set as Thornton’s character, Tommy Norris, became engulfed in a chaotic confrontation with his on-screen ex-wife Angela, played by Ali Larter, with the focus keyword Billy Bob Thornton Landman season 2 figuring prominently as both actors navigated an intense, comedic, and risky shoot for Paramount+.
On-Set Chaos Leads to Real Injury for Thornton
During the family dinner scene, Thornton’s character repeatedly provoked Angela by discussing her menstrual cycle in front of their children—Cooper (Jacob Lofland) and Ainsley (Michelle Randolph)—as well as friends and oil associates Nathan (Colm Feore) and Dale (James Jordan). The situation quickly escalated when Tommy questioned Angela’s decision-making, prompting Angela to erupt in anger. She responded by yanking table settings, hurling plates across the room, and unleashing her frustrations, resulting in a wild spectacle that left the guests scurrying from the explosive scene.
Thornton revealed the physical toll exacted by the sequence, describing how real, heavy plates contributed to his minor injuries:
When [Angela] twists off, like she did in that scene, she twists off, and it’s not fun having plates thrown at your head,
Billy Bob Thornton, Actor. He emphasized the authenticity of the props used:
They were either real or they were damn near real, because they were heavy. They felt like plates to me! And I got a few pieces of shrapnel.
Billy Bob Thornton, Actor. He reassured fans, however, indicating the minor nature of his injuries:
Just little nicks here and there,
Billy Bob Thornton, Actor.
Family Dynamics Drive High Emotions
The scene was more than just explosive action; it was crafted to showcase the fraught dynamic between Tommy and Angela. The argument reached its peak as Tommy’s insensitive jokes at Angela’s expense led to a wild flurry of pasta-laden plates and expletives. Once the outburst subsided, Tommy managed to restore some calm by offering a compliment, leading Angela to join him seated on the floor of the wrecked dining room, both facing forward and processing the chaos together.
Ali Larter, reflecting on her character’s motivations, shed light on the role these dinners play in Angela’s life and her relationship with Tommy:
always just poking and prodding her.
Ali Larter, Actor. Larter then delved into the deeper layers of the scene:
What I think is the most interesting thing about that scene is that you have the fight, you have the family dynamics, and then it was this choice to leave the table and sit on the floor with both of us facing forward,
Ali Larter, Actor, followed by her observation:
Because they couldn’t look at each other in that moment. They were processing who they are as a couple if we don’t go there.
Ali Larter, Actor.
The emotional distance between Tommy and Angela gave Angela space to express her feelings about Tommy’s tendency to provoke her, a moment of growth for both characters as Tommy acknowledged he had not considered the impact until then.
The Challenges and Rewards of Filming High-Intensity Scenes
For Ali Larter, these heightened moments on Landman season 2 have become especially significant, offering her the opportunity to explore Angela’s complexities and channel raw emotion:
We get incredible times of comedy and humor,
Ali Larter, Actor. She added,
You get the violence and the action and the drama, but when you get to dig in and do all of that in one scene, that’s a gift to me.
Ali Larter, Actor. She described the cathartic experience of embracing Angela’s anger on set:
You kind of let it out. You got to let Angela roar,
Ali Larter, Actor, and reflected,
And then you go and you question it all night long when you come home after set.
Ali Larter, Actor.
Memorable Moments and On-Set Camaraderie
Jacob Lofland, who portrays Cooper, observed that the energy and unpredictability of such scenes foster a sense of camaraderie among the cast:
There are so many outtakes and so many reels of those scenes because we’ll just lose it,
Jacob Lofland, Actor. He expressed appreciation for the positive atmosphere:
It’s so great, and everyone’s loose, and we’re having fun.
Jacob Lofland, Actor.
Michelle Randolph, playing Ainsley, echoed the sentiment and praised the work of those behind the scenes:
It was such a great scene to watch in person,
Michelle Randolph, Actor, and continued,
[Larter] just went right for it. She’s so bold in that scene. And our props department is incredible, because we had to reset a lot for that.
Michelle Randolph, Actor.
Lofland added a humorous detail about the food prepared for the shoot:
They actually do make us really good food,
Jacob Lofland, Actor. Despite the chaos, the cast got to sample the “sacrificed” pasta, with Randolph noting the truffle was especially memorable.
Streaming Now: Landman’s Second Season Begins with Impact
The premiere of Landman season 2 is now available for streaming on Paramount+, inviting audiences to witness the fallout of Tommy and Angela’s dramatic encounter. These charged sequences, brought to life by Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Colm Feore, and James Jordan, set the tone for a season that promises humor, conflict, and compelling family dynamics.
For Billy Bob Thornton, the minor injuries sustained are a testament to the realism and commitment driving the production. The blend of comedy, drama, and action continues to make Landman a notable offering in Paramount+’s lineup, with viewers drawn in by its layered characters and emotionally resonant storytelling. As the new season unfolds, anticipation grows regarding the evolution of relationships within the Norris family and the repercussions of the intense family dinner that kicked off the action.
