Billy Bob Thornton Explains Turning Down Villain Roles in 'Spider-Man' and 'Mission: Impossible III'

The actor cited personal preferences and career considerations for rejecting iconic roles later played by Willem Dafoe and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Billy Bob Thornton revealed he declined the roles of Green Goblin in 'Spider-Man' (2002) and Owen Davian in 'Mission: Impossible III' (2006).
Thornton stated he avoids major villain roles due to concerns about being permanently associated with such characters.
He turned down Green Goblin partly because he did not want to endure long hours in the makeup chair.
The actor rejected the 'Mission: Impossible III' role because he didn’t want to be remembered as 'the guy trying to kill Tom Cruise.'
Thornton currently stars in Taylor Sheridan's drama series 'Landman,' a role Sheridan specifically wrote for him.