Billy Bob Thorton

Interview By: Mark Plante
MarkPlante@TheCinemaSource.com

Billy Bob Thorton is a man who has been able to carve out a successful career in Hollywood as one of the rare character actors who became a leading man. He has had recent box office success with Bad Santa and Friday Night Lights. He sits down to talk to the Cinema Source about his childhood, kids, future projects and his current one, Bad News Bears.

While many actors might have been scared to recreate a classic like the 1976 film Bad News Bears, which starred Walter Mathau, Billy Bob Thorton was not scared. He just saw it as a big responsibility.

'Any time you're playing real person or a part that someone has made iconic it makes you a little nervous. I was a big fan of Walter's and of the original movie. I would never pretend that I would be as good or as funny as him. I purposefully didn't watch the old movie when we did this. I had seen it years ago, but I didn't watch it, so I didn't pick up any of his mannerisms. I didn't want to imitate him. It always makes you a little nervous.'

Thorton was also excited about this role, which allowed him to revisit a similar character he did in Bad Santa and the possible commercial success this new film could have, coming off a string of box office hits.

'I feel really lucky. Gotten really good scripts and working with good people. I feel pretty fortunate right now. Yeah, the guy curses and drinks beer. Similarity there; curses at children. I was prepared for people to draw comparisons. If it was a movie that made thirty dollars I would say, 'oh not at all'. From the very beginning we thought this might be a - not really a sequel, but a nice way to play a character like that. People seem to like that type of person. It kind rolls off my tongue.

While he enjoys playing grumpy on-screen, he does not believe he's the new 'Grumpy Old Man' he replies with a laugh, 'Hey, just call me grumpy. I'm not fifty yet.'

And playing baseball again was a lot of fun for Thorton to return to. It was quite a big part of his life for a while before he got the acting bug.

'I was a baseball player. That's what I would have done. Definitely. When I was growing up I had no idea I would be an actor. I really wanted to play for the St. Louis Cardinals. That's all I wanted to do. I played all the way through high school and through Babe Ruth league. I did pretty well. I had a try out with the Kansas City Royals and had my collar bone broken in their camp. I was a junk pitcher. Pretty good one. I would have liked to have been a pitcher for the Cardinals, or maybe a curling coach.

Billy has many favorite little league memories, the most exciting probably being when he discovered his curve ball.

'I loved little league. All memories are pretty fun. The first time I pitched. I started out as a first base men. The first game I pitched in little league I struck out ten batters. I had a curve ball a little early, you're not really suppose to have one when you're twelve, but I did. So my first game I struck out ten batters. That was probably my fondest memory.'

Thorton is proud of the films message, which is the main reason he did the film. 'Pretty decent message. Kids might need to hear that now. All this obsession with winning and being the best at everything. Or being a loser and misfit. Just got out there and try and find your own group of people.'

While he is disappointed with the parents who can get out of hand at their children's game, he does wish their was more of a balance. 'Strike a balance. Got to be good to kids. I don't believe things should be handed to them. Suppose to strive to be better. In the best world, athletics are suppose to be something that's an analogy for the rest of your life. You're suppose to learn from it.'

Thorton himself is not a strict father. His kids call his house 'the rock n' roll house.' Their mother is the disciplinary. His kids have seen his previous films Armageddon, Friday Night Lights, Bandits, and his Academy Award winning Sling Blade.

'When they were on the set of Bad Santa I tried to keep the headphones away from them.' He also promises they will never see Monster's Ball. 'Not even when they are sixty. I'm gonna leave it in my will.'

Despite it's PG-13 rating the film does have a some rough language. Thorton still believes it is for a wider audience. 'In terms of movies I've made it's really right for a broader audience. I think it's pretty much an all ages film. So maybe young kids - five or six- a little subtle for them. This is something that's always puzzled me. I'm not sure why it's okay for kids to go to movies where people get their heads cut off, but they can't hear somebody say damn it or whatever it is. You know, I think it's a little backwards. I'd rather my kids curse then like hack people to pieces with a machete.'

His next album titled Hobo will be out in September. He also has a handful films waiting to be released that will see him opposite John Cusak and Susan Sarandon, among others. And by next spring, he will return to directing. He will not reveal the project just yet, but it is based on a novel and he will not be writing it.

With his ex-wife Angelina Jolie recently adopting a baby girl, he showed nothing but happiness for her. But, only had so much patience with the press on this topic. 'It's great. I know she wanted too. She's wanted to for quite a while. I'm really, really happy for her. I left her a message a couple a days ago. She's been so amazing these last few years. I'm so proud of her. I'm really happy for her. I know how happy it makes her to have this baby. She loves Madox more then life. I'm just happy for her.'

Thorton was attracted to working with the director Richard Linklater because he 'thinks like an independent filmmaker.' He also hopes this remake will get younger generations interested in seeing the original.

The only area Thorton isn't comfortable talking about is the declining box office. He wishes people would go the movies more, but admits to have no control over it. He wishes the press would ask the business people about that.

One thing is for sure, audiences will have the opportunity to see Billy Bob Thorton in theaters for years to come.