Two Roles Billy Bob Thornton Declined for the Funniest Reasons

Hollywood history is full of “what if” scenarios, with actors famously turning down roles that later became iconic. Decisions to pass on a major film can happen for many reasons, from scheduling conflicts to creative differences. For actor Billy Bob Thornton, who has built a career on playing a wide range of memorable characters, the reasons for declining certain high-profile parts can be surprisingly straightforward and quite amusing.

Thornton is known for his versatility, taking on roles from the foul-mouthed star of “Bad Santa” to an Oscar-nominated part in the thriller “A Simple Plan”. He even won an Academy Award for writing the screenplay for “Sling Blade,” in which he also starred. His career choices often lean towards the unpredictable, a tendency that is clearly reflected in the roles he chooses to accept and, perhaps more interestingly, the ones he chooses to reject. His decisions offer a glimpse into the mindset of an actor who values his preferences over a guaranteed blockbuster.

One of the most notable roles Thornton passed on was a major comic book movie villain. He was offered the part of the Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s 2002 “Spider-Man.” His reason for turning down the now-iconic character was not about the script or the character’s motivations. Instead, it was a simple matter of practicality. Thornton said he “didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m. for five or six hours of makeup.” The role of the Green Goblin ultimately went to Willem Dafoe, who delivered a memorable performance.

Another major franchise role that Thornton decided against was that of the villain in a blockbuster action film. He was approached to play Owen Davian, the ruthless arms dealer in “Mission: Impossible III.” Again, Thornton’s reason was less about the film’s plot and more about his personal feelings on the role. “I didn’t want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise,” he explained. He felt that playing the bad guy in such a huge movie would stick with audiences forever. The part was eventually played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Thornton has been open about his general lack of interest in these types of antagonist roles in big-budget movies. He has stated a preference for characters that are “looser and less predictable.” While he has played darker characters, such as the hitman Lorne Malvo in the TV series “Fargo,” for which he won a Golden Globe, he often chooses roles that defy easy categorization. His approach highlights a desire to maintain a level of unpredictability in his career, avoiding being typecast as the go-to villain in mainstream blockbusters.