Billy Bob Thornton Turned Down Major Villain Roles For "Mission: Impossible 3" And "Spider-Man"

Billy Bob Thornton is known for his diverse performances, from a gritty NASA scientist in Armageddon to a foul-mouthed Santa in Bad Santa. However, despite his broad acting range, Thornton has made it clear he has no interest in playing major blockbuster villains — especially ones that pit him against Tom Cruise.

In a recent interview on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, Thornton revealed that he passed on the role of Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III, an antagonist who would’ve gone head-to-head with Cruise’s Ethan Hunt. His reasoning? “I didn’t want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise,” Thornton admitted. He noted that villain roles in such high-profile films tend to be remembered indefinitely, something he prefers to avoid. Phillip Seymour Hoffman would go on to take the role.

Another role Thornton turned down was that of the Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man. The prospect of spending hours in makeup each morning was unappealing to the actor. Instead, Willem Dafoe took on the iconic role, delivering a performance so celebrated that he reprised the part nearly two decades later in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Thornton’s choices highlight his preference for unconventional and unpredictable roles over blockbuster antagonists. He tends to steer clear of Hollywood comic book and action movie formulas, gravitating toward projects with a more grounded or offbeat appeal.

While Thornton’s decision to pass on these major villain roles might seem surprising, it’s clear his career choices have kept his filmography varied and engaging. He currently stars in Paramount+’s drama Landman, continuing to prove that he thrives outside the constraints of typical villainy.

In the end, Thornton's commitment to staying true to his preferences has set him apart in an industry where big-budget blockbusters often dominate.

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Source: Variety

Photo Credit: Paramount/Sony/Disney