Billy Bob Thornton Passed on Two Iconic Roles Because of the Craziest Reasons: “[I] didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m.”

Billy Bob Thornton has built a long career playing memorable characters. From his Oscar-winning role in “Sling Blade” to the grumpy St. Nick in “Bad Santa,” he is known for taking on unique parts. His work in films like “A Simple Plan” and “Monster’s Ball” has made him a respected actor in Hollywood.

Many successful actors have stories about the major roles they almost played. These “what if” moments are common in the film industry. An actor’s choice to turn down a part can change their career and lead to another actor’s big break. Thornton recently shared his own stories about two blockbuster movies he decided not to do.

During an appearance on a podcast, Thornton revealed he was offered the chance to play two major villains in huge film franchises. He turned down the part of the Green Goblin in the first “Spider-Man” movie and the role of arms dealer Owen Davian in “Mission: Impossible III.” His reasons were not about the characters or the script, but about practical, everyday concerns.

For the role of the Green Goblin, Thornton was put off by the demanding schedule. “With the Green Goblin, I didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m. for five or six hours of makeup,” he explained. His reason for passing on the “Mission: Impossible” villain was about how audiences would see him. He said he “didn’t want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise.” Thornton added, “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.”

The roles eventually went to two other highly respected actors. Willem Dafoe took the part of the Green Goblin, delivering a performance that has become one of the most famous in comic book movie history. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman played the chilling villain in “Mission: Impossible III,” creating a memorable adversary for Tom Cruise’s character.

Thornton has never shied away from playing complex or morally ambiguous characters. His role as the hitman Lorne Malvo in the first season of the TV series “Fargo” earned him a Golden Globe award. He continues to choose projects that interest him, such as his current role in the series “Landman.”

While some may wonder what his versions of those villains would have been like, Thornton seems happy with his decisions. By sticking to his own preferences, whether it’s avoiding early mornings or being the man who tries to take down a superstar, he has created a unique and successful career.