Why Billy Bob Thornton passed on ‘Mission Impossible’

Billy Bob Thornton Talks Turning Down Villain Roles in Major Films

Renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton is no stranger to playing the bad guy on screen, but there are certain roles that he just won’t take on. In a recent interview on The Playlist’s “Bingeworthy” podcast, Thornton revealed that he turned down the opportunity to play villains in two iconic films.

Thornton disclosed that he was offered the role of Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin, in Sam Raimi’s blockbuster film “Spider-Man.” Additionally, he was in consideration for the villainous role in “Mission: Impossible III” at a later point in his career.

Reflecting on his decision to decline these roles, Thornton explained, “I don’t have much interest in those kinds of roles. With the Green Goblin, I didn’t want to deal with the early morning makeup sessions that would have been required. And in ‘Mission: Impossible III,’ I didn’t want to be the antagonist trying to take down Tom Cruise. Being the bad guy in a major movie like that can typecast you in audiences’ minds forever. I prefer to keep my roles more diverse and unpredictable.”

While Thornton may have passed on these particular villainous roles, audiences can still enjoy his performances as a bad guy in films like “Armageddon” and “Bad Santa.” Currently, the actor is captivating audiences in the role of an oil company fixer in Texas in Taylor Sheridan’s series titled “Landman.”

Overall, Thornton’s selective approach to villainous roles showcases his commitment to maintaining a versatile and dynamic acting career. Despite his willingness to embrace darker characters, he remains conscious of the impact that such roles can have on his artistic trajectory.

™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved