Billy Bob Thornton passed on ‘Mission Impossible’ villain role so he wouldn’t be ‘the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise’

Billy Bob Thornton has built a successful career playing a wide variety of roles, including some memorable villains. However, there are certain roles he chooses to pass on, particularly when it comes to playing antagonists in major blockbuster films.

In a recent appearance on The Playlist’s “Bingeworthy” podcast, the celebrated actor revealed that he had turned down opportunities to play villains in two high-profile films: Spider-Man and Mission: Impossible III. Although Thornton enjoys the challenge of portraying bad guys, he explained that these particular roles didn’t appeal to him for personal reasons.

Thornton shared that he was approached to play Norman Osborn, better known as the Green Goblin, in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. However, the idea of spending long hours in makeup and prosthetics for such a role didn’t interest him. “I didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m. for five or six hours of makeup,” he said, emphasizing his preference for roles that don’t require such a significant physical transformation.

Similarly, Thornton was offered the villain role in Mission: Impossible III, but he also passed on this opportunity. He explained that playing a character who’s actively trying to kill Tom Cruise, a globally recognized superstar, didn’t seem appealing. “If you’re the bad guy in a big movie like that, audiences remember it forever,” Thornton noted. He added that he prefers to keep his roles “looser and less predictable,” rather than being forever associated with a particular villainous character.

Despite turning down these iconic villain roles, Thornton has certainly made his mark in the genre. He has played notable antagonists in other films, including Armageddon, where he portrayed a tough, no-nonsense character, and Bad Santa, in which he brought a darkly comedic take to a cynical, morally ambiguous figure. These roles reflect Thornton’s ability to tackle villainous characters without being confined to a traditional blockbuster villain archetype.

Thornton’s career is marked by a wide range of performances, from action films to dark comedies to dramatic roles. Recently, he has taken on the role of an oil company fixer in the television series Landman, created by Taylor Sheridan. In this role, he plays a complex character that is both tough and vulnerable, a reflection of Thornton’s diverse acting range.

While Thornton may not be interested in playing a stereotypical villain in big-budget franchises, his choice to portray darker, more nuanced characters has earned him a loyal following. His ability to bring depth to his roles, even those that involve a touch of villainy, has made him a versatile and respected figure in Hollywood.

Ultimately, Thornton’s decision to turn down major villain roles like Norman Osborn and the antagonist in Mission: Impossible III reflects his desire to maintain creative freedom and avoid being typecast. As his career continues to evolve, it’s clear that Thornton will continue to seek out roles that allow him to push boundaries and explore complex characters in a variety of genres. Whether as a hero, antihero, or villain, Billy Bob Thornton’s ability to captivate audiences remains one of his most defining qualities.