Billy Bob Thornton turned down 'Mission Impossible' villain role to avoid being 'the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise'

Billy Bob Thornton is comfortable portraying antagonists, but he maintains certain boundaries.

During a conversation on The Playlist’s "Bingeworthy" podcast, the revered actor shared his decision to decline villainous roles in two prominent films.

Thornton revealed he was considered for the role of Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin, in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man.” Additionally, he was a candidate for the antagonist in “Mission: Impossible 3” some years later.

"I’m not particularly drawn to those roles," he remarked. "With the Green Goblin, the thought of waking up at 4 a.m. for extensive makeup sessions was unappealing. As for ‘Mission: Impossible III,’ I wasn’t interested in being the person trying to eliminate Tom Cruise. When you're the villain in a blockbuster, it stays with audiences indefinitely. I prefer roles that are more relaxed and unpredictable."

Nonetheless, Thornton has embraced villainous characters in titles like “Armageddon” and “Bad Santa.”

Currently, Thornton takes on the role of an oil company fixer in Texas in Taylor Sheridan’s series "Landman.