Billy Bob Thornton explains why he didn't take on villain roles in Spider-Man and Mission Impossible 3saying “the public remembers this forever.” Since the late 1990s, the actor has been known for playing complex, often flawed, and courageous characters in films and TV shows, ranging from intense dramas like Slingshot Blade for dark comedies like Bad Santa. However, there are some huge films that he turned down. Thornton currently stars in Taylor Sheridan's new Paramount+ series Landman as Tommy Norris, the titular owner of an oil company.
In an episode of The playlistof Noteworthy podcast, Billy Bob Thornton Opened Up About Why He Turned Down Villain Roles Like Green Goblin in Sam Raimi's Film Spider-Man and like Owen Davian in Mission Impossible 3. To Spider-Manhe just didn't want to wake up early and pass”five or six hours of makeup.” For Mission Impossiblehe “I didn't want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise.” Read Thornton's full explanation below:
I'm not very interested in those types of roles. With Green Goblin, I didn't feel like waking up at 4 am for five or six hours of makeup. And with Mission: Impossible III, I didn't want to be the guy who tried to kill Tom Cruise. If you're the villain in a big movie like this, the audience will remember it forever. I prefer to keep things looser and less predictable.
He tried to avoid being stigmatized
Billy Bob Thornton arrived on the scene in 1996 writing, directing and starring in the independent drama Slingshot Blade. For his performance as a mentally disabled man who inexplicably kills his mother and her lover, Thornton received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, although he won for Best Adapted Screenplay. After the success of Slingshot BladeThornton has taken on several prominent film roles, such as Sam Raimi A simple planwith his performance as another morally gray character earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
After the success of 2003 Bad Santain which he plays a mischievous mall Santa, Thornton spoke about his tendency to be typecasttelling audiences”I like seeing him play this kind of guy“and that”casting directors call him when they need a jerk.” He continued: “It's that simple… you know how limited your imagination can be in this business.” Based on his comments, Thornton clearly tried to avoid being typecast as a villain throughout his career, even turning down villainous roles such as Green Goblin in Spider-Man and like Owen Davian in Mission Impossible 3.
Our Take on Billy Bob Thornton Playing Bad Guys
That's when he's at his best
Although Billy Bob Thornton has tried to avoid being typecast as a bad guy, this is when he is at his best, including his Oscar-nominated performances as morally ambiguous characters in Slingshot Blade and A simple plan. Another highlight of his character was playing hitman Lorne Malvo in Fargo Season 1, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. While Billy Bob Thornton tried to avoid being typecast as a bad guy, his performances as villains or morally ambiguous characters often stand out as his most compelling work.
Source: The playlist