Andy Garcia Champions 'Landman' as a Win for American Energy Sector
Hollywood veteran Andy Garcia has thrown his support behind Taylor Sheridan’s high-stakes oil drama, Landman, asserting that the Paramount+ series is a significant positive development for the American oil and gas industry. Speaking at the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) annual State of American Energy event in Washington D.C., Garcia offered fans and industry insiders a detailed look into his character and the production process.
Garcia, known for his distinguished career across numerous cinematic genres, initially anticipated a more hands-on role in the West Texas-set narrative. However, his character, Gallino (also known as Danny Morrell), turned out to be a sophisticated, suit-and-tie executive based in Fort Worth with deep, complex ties across various business sectors—including the shadowy world of organized crime.
The API’s Endorsement and Garcia’s Appeal
The conversation between Garcia and API President and CEO Mike Sommers revealed the industry body’s initial apprehension and subsequent approval of the series. Sommers admitted the API was initially concerned about Hollywood’s portrayal of the sector but quickly pivoted after viewing the initial episodes.
“After about two episodes, we figured out real fast that Landman was going to be positive for the American oil and gas industry, and a key part of that has been Andy’s participation in this,” Sommers stated, highlighting Garcia’s crucial role in lending credibility and star power to the narrative.
When pressed on what drew him to the project, Garcia cited the gravitational pull of creator Taylor Sheridan. “Well, it was Taylor,” Garcia confirmed, noting he was an admirer of Sheridan’s writing prowess even before the massive success of Yellowstone, referencing films like Hell or High Water and Sicario.
From Landman to Cartel Boss
The casting process provided some unexpected levity. Garcia recounted Sheridan’s initial outreach. “He reached out to me, invited me to Fort Worth and said he was interested in writing this part for me.” Garcia immediately accepted, only to discover the nature of the role.
“I said, ‘I’m in,’ and asked about the yet-to-be-written character. [Sheridan] said, ‘Well, he’s kind of like the head of the cartel.’ And I said, ‘Oh, I thought I was going to be a landman. I thought I was going to be in the oil business,’” Garcia recalled, drawing laughter from the audience. “Turns out it looks like I’m in the oil business now.”
Gallino’s introduction in the season finale establishes him as a powerful force—a drug cartel boss operating an investment firm keenly interested in the booming Fort Worth oil and gas landscape. This juxtaposition of legitimate industry ambition with illicit backing is central to the show's tension.
Authenticity and On-Set Stories
Garcia praised Sheridan’s meticulous attention to detail, which he finds resonates deeply with the characters, both those embedded in the industry, like Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris, and the supporting cast surrounding them, including Demi Moore and Sam Elliott.
“There’s the authenticity of Taylor [Sheridan’s] writing and how specific he is of all the characters in the shows,” Garcia observed. “He voices his characters in such a specific way and then ties all those storylines together in the course of a season so beautifully.”
Because his character operates primarily from the city rather than the oil patch, much of Garcia’s filming took place in Fort Worth. He shared a specific anecdote regarding the logistical challenges of shooting scenes in a borrowed, functional office space.
The Iconic Putting Green Scene
One of the most talked-about moments involves an intense confrontation on a putting green within Gallino’s office. Sommers referenced the scene where an enraged Tommy Norris confronts Gallino.
“It’s kind of an iconic scene in the show,” Sommers noted, asking about the specific putter Garcia was using. Garcia confirmed the prop became his own, joking, “It is now.”
In the charged exchange, Norris warns Gallino: “You can go play golf at your country club but I know who you are. I saw you kill a man in front of me.” Garcia confirmed that upon reading the script and seeing the specific mention of golf, he immediately contacted renowned hand-crafted putter designer Scotty Cameron, setting the stage for the memorable visual detail.
The widespread interest in Landman, coupled with the API’s active promotion through ads aired during the show, signals a concerted effort by the energy lobby to shape public perception. As production ramps up for future seasons, Garcia’s involvement ensures the complex, often controversial, world of American energy production remains front and centre in mainstream entertainment.
