The versatile and beloved Bad Santa star has played Karl Childers in Sling Blade, a high school football coach in Saturday Night Live, and a charmingly unhinged barber in The Man Who Wasn't There, but Billy Bob Thornton refuses to play the bad guy in big-budget action and superhero movies. A wildcard in Hollywood, he's delighted audiences with his goofy performances and recently, Thornton opened up about turning down two iconic "bad guy" roles in Spider-Man and Mission: Impossible III.
On the Bingeworthy podcast, Thornton recalled the opportunities that were presented to him, such as playing Green Goblin in the very first Spider-Man movie starring Tobey Maguire. Thornton was also offered the role of Owen Davian, an arms dealer looking for a mysterious biological hazard in Mission: Impossible III. He shared:
"I don't have much interest in those kinds of roles. With the Green Goblin, I didn't feel like getting up at 4am for five or six hours of makeup. And with Mission: Impossible III, I didn't want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise. If you're the bad guy in a big movie like that, audiences remember it forever. I prefer to keep things looser and less predictable."
Ultimately, the roles of Green Goblin and Owen Davian went to Willem Dafoe and Philip Seymour Hoffman, respectively, and both the stars performed incredibly well enough to become integral parts of the franchise.
Billy Bob Thornton Is Off To Another Great Start With 'Landman'
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For Billy Bob Thornton, the belief that each role is a memorable one in an actor's career is a defining principle. Paired with his decision to keep his career diverse and unpredictable by avoiding being typecast as a villain, Thornton's time in the industry has been filled with challenging and unique roles. Currently, the 69-year-old actor is the leading man in Taylor Sheridan's new series, Landman. He's proving the validity of his philosophy by playing Tommy Norris, a seasoned oil and gas landman navigating the complex and treacherous world of energy acquisition. The show is currently in its early stages, but it's already shaping up to be unforgettable.
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Every time he's on the screen, Thornton commands attention. His weathered face instantly conveys the weight of experience and the wisdom of a man who has seen it all. Speaking to Deadline about his Landman role, he said:
"I think if you're in that world, it's a dangerous business. You understand the risk involved. My character obviously came up doing more menial jobs in this. So he has been there. He knows how this works, and now suddenly he's like the foreman between the guy that owns the oil company and the people who work in the oil fields. There's not even much time to think in the job of being a landman. You're on the move all the time. There's always a problem to solve because he is a fixer really. You develop an obsession with being successful. I think he's driven and doesn't really think about that much, though I think he's a bit fatalistic about it."
Sheridan's entire slate of shows, from Yellowstone to Mayor of Kingstown, is known for its high-caliber talent and Thornton's inclusion in Landman is no exception. The acclaimed writer and director knows how to tap into the best of the best when it comes to leading talent. Thornton's portrayal of Norris has already earned him his seventh Golden Globe nomination and as the story unfolds, it's fair to expect more brilliant narratives and intriguing performances.
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4 /5
Landman
TV-MA
Drama
Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of oil rigs. Based on the notable 11-part podcast "Boomtown," the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it's reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.
Release Date November 17, 2024
Creator(s) Taylor Sheridan , Christian Wallace
Cast Billy Bob Thornton , Ali Larter , Jacob Lofland , Kayla Wallace , Mark Collie , James Jordan , Demi Moore , Jon Hamm , Colm Feore , Robyn Lively , Drake Rodger , Brook Sill , K.C. Clyde , Rosemary Dominguez , Mustafa Speaks , J.R. Villarreal , Octavio Rodriguez , Michael Pena , Emilio Rivera , Alex Meraz , Alejandro Akara
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