Billy Bob Thornton Reveals Why He Turned Down Iconic Villain Roles in Spider-Man and Mission: Impossible

Billy Bob Thornton could have cemented his place as one of Hollywood’s most memorable villains, but the acclaimed actor says he just wasn’t interested. During an appearance on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, Thornton shared that he passed on two major roles: Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and arms dealer Owen Davian in J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible III.

“I don’t have much interest in those kinds of roles,” Thornton admitted, explaining why he turned down the chance to face off against Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. “With the Green Goblin, I didn’t feel like getting up at 4 a.m. for five or six hours of makeup. And with Mission: Impossible III, I didn’t want to be the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise.”

The Sling Blade star also explained why he’s never gravitated toward playing villains in blockbuster franchises. “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,” he said.

Thornton had previously collaborated with Raimi on 1998’s A Simple Plan and co-wrote the screenplay for Raimi’s The Gift. Despite their working relationship, Thornton ultimately passed on the chance to play Norman Osborn, leaving the role to Willem Dafoe, whose menacing portrayal of the Green Goblin is now legendary.

Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible III cast the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as Davian, delivering a chilling performance as the cold and calculating villain. While Thornton’s decision might surprise some fans, his reasoning highlights a growing concern in Hollywood: the way audiences sometimes blur the line between fiction and reality.

In recent years, actors like House of the Dragon’s Fabien Frankel and The Walking Dead’s Josh McDermitt have faced backlash for their villainous characters’ actions. Thornton seems to have wisely avoided that kind of drama, focusing instead on more grounded and complex roles, like his portrayal of a high school football coach in Friday Night Lights or his darkly comedic turn in Bad Santa.

Thornton’s choice reflects his desire to maintain control over his career trajectory, prioritizing authenticity over blockbuster fame. Whether you agree with his decision or wish he had suited up as Green Goblin, there’s no denying he’s carved out a unique legacy in Hollywood.

What do you think about Billy Bob Thornton turning down these iconic roles? Could he have been your favorite Green Goblin, or did Willem Dafoe set the bar too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below!