On a very hot Sunday morning Billy Bob Thornton walked into the interview room wearing a black T-shirt that said Local 259 (Pipefitters) and his trademarked pair of jeans. Even though it was 9 am Thornton seemed in a good mood, in no small part, to the fact that it was going to be three Hooters girls that were going to handing out the microphone to the journalists. With his career in full upswing Thornton seemed eager to talk about his new very funny film Bad News Bears, a remake of the sports classic from the 1970s.
Check out the official site for Bad News Bears
Daniel Robert Epstein: How are you?
Billy Bob Thornton: Not bad for three hours sleep. But they said thered be Hooters girls so I came.
DRE: Do you have any memories of Little League from your childhood?
BBT: I loved Little League but I broke my thumb the first time I pitched which wasnt a lot of fun. I started out as a first baseman and the first game I struck out ten batters. I had a curve ball which I think youre not supposed to get one until youre around 12, but I did.
DRE: Did you feel any responsibility remaking a Walter Matthau role because he is one of the great character actors?
BBT: Yeah, you always do every time youre playing a real person or a part that someone has made iconic. It sort of makes you nervous. I was a big fan of Walter Matthau and the original movie. I would never even pretend that I was as good or as funny as he was. I didnt even try. I sort of did my thing and purposely didnt watch the original movie again even though Id seen it years ago. I didnt want to pick up any of his mannerisms. At least Davy Crockett [who Billy Bob played] isnt around so no one knew what he was like.
DRE: Can you do a good Walter Matthau?
BBT: No not really. Im not a good impressionist. I can do Robert Duvall but thats about it.
DRE: Youve been on a role lately with Friday Night Lights, Bad Santa and now this.
BBT: Yeah, I feel like everything is good now. I feel real lucky. Ive gotten really good scripts and have worked with good people, so I feel very fortunate.
DRE: Do you see this as a sort of quasi sequel to Bad Santa?
BBT: The guy curses at children and drinks beer so there is a similarity there. I was prepared for people to draw comparisons but I guess its not too bad. If it had made like $30 I would have said, Oh no, not at all. From the very beginning, we didnt think this was a sequel, but its a nice way to be able to play a character like that. People kind of like that kind of person, it rolls off my tongue.
DRE: Do you think youre the movies new grumpy old man?
BBT: Hey just call me grumpy, Im not 50 yet. [laughs]
DRE: Did you ever want a sports career?
BBT: When I was growing up I had no idea I wanted to be an actor. I was a baseball player and I wanted to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. I played all through high school and did pretty well. I actually had a trial with the Kansas City Royals. Im a big sports fan period. I follow pro football, college football, college basketball, but mainly Im a basketball guy. But I dont understand curling, when I was making Pushing Tin up in Canada, the only sport they had on the television was curling and I still dont know what they were doing.
When I was growing up in Texas and Arkansas, we didnt have ice hockey and now my kids are in a hockey league in Malibu and when I go to their matches I have to watch the other parents to know when to cheer or boo because I dont know the rules. I know when our gang hits the puck into the net thats a good thing. What I got hooked on this year was the NCWA womens softball. I got obsessed with it. My team is the Texas Longhorns. They have this pitcher Cat Osterman. Shes like 20 and 62. Im afraid of them so I dont want to meet them but I like watching them on TV.
DRE: Were you afraid of going overboard cursing on the set because of the kids in the cast?
BBT: I wasnt too worried and the kids love it. Being able to curse is like magic to them. Every now and then, because I was acting that way on the set, they thought it was okay for them to do it when we werent working. Every once in awhile theyd tried to tell me some nasty little thing and Id say, You cant do that. I was kind of a father to them. I wouldnt let them curse when we werent shooting.
DRE: How are you as a dad?
BBT: Im the least strict dad in the world. My boys mom is fairly strict with them. Shes a good disciplinarian. I just let them have what they want which is stupid. My little girl is only nine months old so shes not able to do a whole lot yet. When the boys are with me, its like theyre going over to the rock house. I should say rock and roll house because rock house is something else. [laughs]
DRE: What were you like as a kid?
BBT: I was a pretty innocent kid until I got into high school. I was like Ernie Douglas on My Three Sons. Then I got into high school and I was in a band, baseball, and I got more popular. I think with popularity came more trouble and thats never stopped.
DRE: Who do you think is the audience for this movie?
BBT: In terms of the things Ive done, this is really for a broader audience. I think its pretty much all ages. Richard Linklater did a good job of not doing a big goofy comedy where someone gets hit in the head with a skillet all the time. For a five or six year old, it might be a little subtle for them, but in terms of the language, kids see South Park and Family Guy so they see a lot worse on television than whats in this. Although there is a scene in a restaurant with Marcia Gay Harden that had be cut down.
DRE: Will that scene be in the DVD?
BBT: Knowing Linklater it will be. Its just a continuation of the scene. Once she starts talking about how she never really liked the dangerous type, I asked her to help me out with something under the table. I drop my napkin. Something that has always puzzled me is why its okay for kids to go to the movie and see people get their heads cut off, but they cant hear someone say Damn it. I think its a little backwards. Id rather have my kids curse than hit someone with a machete.
DRE: Have your kids seen your movies?
BBT: They were on the set of Bad News Bears but I tried to keep the headphones away from them. The kids have seen Sling Blade, Armageddon, Bandits and Friday Night Lights. They have not seen Monsters Ball, nor will they ever even when they are 60. Ill leave it in my will.
DRE: When the original Bad News Bears came out parents thought it was subversive. Do you think this film has that same spirit?
BBT: I think when we were growing up we werent exposed to as much as kids are today. Kids know everything now. I dont think you could show them much thats going to shock them, other than someone being kind. I think whats good about the movie and why we did a remake is because the message is pretty good and kids might want to hear that now. As opposed to it being shocking and subversive for this time its a pretty decent message. You dont really have to win as long as you go out and try. Find your own group of people and live in society, so you dont have to feel so bad about yourself. I think thats a pretty decent message. Ive never been that crazy about remakes but because of that message and the state of affairs these days, I thought it would be a nice one to remake. Kids do not watch older movies so maybe since we updated it theyll go see this movie and maybe even check out the original. I hope they do.
DRE: How is it having your music studio in your home?
BBT: You dont want to know what goes on in that studio [laughs. Actually, its pretty tame. I just finished a new record, called Hobo, and were putting it out in September. Its more a singer/songwriter type album and Im really proud of it. Warren Zevon actually recorded Knockin on Heavens Door down there and Warren had a very dry sense of humor. When he first told me he wanted to cut that song down there I thought he was joking. I learned very quickly he wasnt. It was a pretty emotional night. Jewel has cut some demos there and sometimes some of my friends show up. We got some tracks of us just jamming.
DRE: What do you think of Richard Linklater as a director?
BBT: One of the things that makes me the happiest is that he really thinks more like an independent filmmaker. Even when hes doing a big film, he still has that sensibility. This could have turned into one of those splashy, studio movies but he kept the tone of the original movie. So I think that no matter what hes making, he thinks like an independent filmmaker. Plus hes a laidback guy. Hes not a tense, screaming type of director guy. He takes things as they come which really thrills me. I liked the School of Rock and Dazed and Confused.
DRE: What are you doing next?
BBT: Im supposed to be going off soon, as soon as they make a deal. The next movie is called Fade Out. Its a movie about a schizophrenic screenwriter married to an actress.
DRE: Is it autobiographical?
BBT: Not for me. Im sure its autobiographical about someone, but its more of an independent film which is nice for me. Ive just finished Mr. Woodcock for New Line with Susan Sarandon which is a very dark comedy. Ive done a lot of comedy lately which Im not accustomed to. After this, I have five movies that Ive been offered and I want to do everyone of them which is pretty rare. Normally you cant find one.
DRE: How about directing?
BBT: Ive found something I want to direct next spring, which is kind of big news for me because I havent directed in several years. Wait until you see my contract this time, its going to be as tall as this ceiling. Its based on a true story that happened in 1925. I think its going to be a dandy.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
Check out the official site for Bad News Bears
Daniel Robert Epstein: How are you?
Billy Bob Thornton: Not bad for three hours sleep. But they said thered be Hooters girls so I came.
DRE: Do you have any memories of Little League from your childhood?
BBT: I loved Little League but I broke my thumb the first time I pitched which wasnt a lot of fun. I started out as a first baseman and the first game I struck out ten batters. I had a curve ball which I think youre not supposed to get one until youre around 12, but I did.
DRE: Did you feel any responsibility remaking a Walter Matthau role because he is one of the great character actors?
BBT: Yeah, you always do every time youre playing a real person or a part that someone has made iconic. It sort of makes you nervous. I was a big fan of Walter Matthau and the original movie. I would never even pretend that I was as good or as funny as he was. I didnt even try. I sort of did my thing and purposely didnt watch the original movie again even though Id seen it years ago. I didnt want to pick up any of his mannerisms. At least Davy Crockett [who Billy Bob played] isnt around so no one knew what he was like.
DRE: Can you do a good Walter Matthau?
BBT: No not really. Im not a good impressionist. I can do Robert Duvall but thats about it.
DRE: Youve been on a role lately with Friday Night Lights, Bad Santa and now this.
BBT: Yeah, I feel like everything is good now. I feel real lucky. Ive gotten really good scripts and have worked with good people, so I feel very fortunate.
DRE: Do you see this as a sort of quasi sequel to Bad Santa?
BBT: The guy curses at children and drinks beer so there is a similarity there. I was prepared for people to draw comparisons but I guess its not too bad. If it had made like $30 I would have said, Oh no, not at all. From the very beginning, we didnt think this was a sequel, but its a nice way to be able to play a character like that. People kind of like that kind of person, it rolls off my tongue.
DRE: Do you think youre the movies new grumpy old man?
BBT: Hey just call me grumpy, Im not 50 yet. [laughs]
DRE: Did you ever want a sports career?
BBT: When I was growing up I had no idea I wanted to be an actor. I was a baseball player and I wanted to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. I played all through high school and did pretty well. I actually had a trial with the Kansas City Royals. Im a big sports fan period. I follow pro football, college football, college basketball, but mainly Im a basketball guy. But I dont understand curling, when I was making Pushing Tin up in Canada, the only sport they had on the television was curling and I still dont know what they were doing.
When I was growing up in Texas and Arkansas, we didnt have ice hockey and now my kids are in a hockey league in Malibu and when I go to their matches I have to watch the other parents to know when to cheer or boo because I dont know the rules. I know when our gang hits the puck into the net thats a good thing. What I got hooked on this year was the NCWA womens softball. I got obsessed with it. My team is the Texas Longhorns. They have this pitcher Cat Osterman. Shes like 20 and 62. Im afraid of them so I dont want to meet them but I like watching them on TV.
DRE: Were you afraid of going overboard cursing on the set because of the kids in the cast?
BBT: I wasnt too worried and the kids love it. Being able to curse is like magic to them. Every now and then, because I was acting that way on the set, they thought it was okay for them to do it when we werent working. Every once in awhile theyd tried to tell me some nasty little thing and Id say, You cant do that. I was kind of a father to them. I wouldnt let them curse when we werent shooting.
DRE: How are you as a dad?
BBT: Im the least strict dad in the world. My boys mom is fairly strict with them. Shes a good disciplinarian. I just let them have what they want which is stupid. My little girl is only nine months old so shes not able to do a whole lot yet. When the boys are with me, its like theyre going over to the rock house. I should say rock and roll house because rock house is something else. [laughs]
DRE: What were you like as a kid?
BBT: I was a pretty innocent kid until I got into high school. I was like Ernie Douglas on My Three Sons. Then I got into high school and I was in a band, baseball, and I got more popular. I think with popularity came more trouble and thats never stopped.
DRE: Who do you think is the audience for this movie?
BBT: In terms of the things Ive done, this is really for a broader audience. I think its pretty much all ages. Richard Linklater did a good job of not doing a big goofy comedy where someone gets hit in the head with a skillet all the time. For a five or six year old, it might be a little subtle for them, but in terms of the language, kids see South Park and Family Guy so they see a lot worse on television than whats in this. Although there is a scene in a restaurant with Marcia Gay Harden that had be cut down.
DRE: Will that scene be in the DVD?
BBT: Knowing Linklater it will be. Its just a continuation of the scene. Once she starts talking about how she never really liked the dangerous type, I asked her to help me out with something under the table. I drop my napkin. Something that has always puzzled me is why its okay for kids to go to the movie and see people get their heads cut off, but they cant hear someone say Damn it. I think its a little backwards. Id rather have my kids curse than hit someone with a machete.
DRE: Have your kids seen your movies?
BBT: They were on the set of Bad News Bears but I tried to keep the headphones away from them. The kids have seen Sling Blade, Armageddon, Bandits and Friday Night Lights. They have not seen Monsters Ball, nor will they ever even when they are 60. Ill leave it in my will.
DRE: When the original Bad News Bears came out parents thought it was subversive. Do you think this film has that same spirit?
BBT: I think when we were growing up we werent exposed to as much as kids are today. Kids know everything now. I dont think you could show them much thats going to shock them, other than someone being kind. I think whats good about the movie and why we did a remake is because the message is pretty good and kids might want to hear that now. As opposed to it being shocking and subversive for this time its a pretty decent message. You dont really have to win as long as you go out and try. Find your own group of people and live in society, so you dont have to feel so bad about yourself. I think thats a pretty decent message. Ive never been that crazy about remakes but because of that message and the state of affairs these days, I thought it would be a nice one to remake. Kids do not watch older movies so maybe since we updated it theyll go see this movie and maybe even check out the original. I hope they do.
DRE: How is it having your music studio in your home?
BBT: You dont want to know what goes on in that studio [laughs. Actually, its pretty tame. I just finished a new record, called Hobo, and were putting it out in September. Its more a singer/songwriter type album and Im really proud of it. Warren Zevon actually recorded Knockin on Heavens Door down there and Warren had a very dry sense of humor. When he first told me he wanted to cut that song down there I thought he was joking. I learned very quickly he wasnt. It was a pretty emotional night. Jewel has cut some demos there and sometimes some of my friends show up. We got some tracks of us just jamming.
DRE: What do you think of Richard Linklater as a director?
BBT: One of the things that makes me the happiest is that he really thinks more like an independent filmmaker. Even when hes doing a big film, he still has that sensibility. This could have turned into one of those splashy, studio movies but he kept the tone of the original movie. So I think that no matter what hes making, he thinks like an independent filmmaker. Plus hes a laidback guy. Hes not a tense, screaming type of director guy. He takes things as they come which really thrills me. I liked the School of Rock and Dazed and Confused.
DRE: What are you doing next?
BBT: Im supposed to be going off soon, as soon as they make a deal. The next movie is called Fade Out. Its a movie about a schizophrenic screenwriter married to an actress.
DRE: Is it autobiographical?
BBT: Not for me. Im sure its autobiographical about someone, but its more of an independent film which is nice for me. Ive just finished Mr. Woodcock for New Line with Susan Sarandon which is a very dark comedy. Ive done a lot of comedy lately which Im not accustomed to. After this, I have five movies that Ive been offered and I want to do everyone of them which is pretty rare. Normally you cant find one.
DRE: How about directing?
BBT: Ive found something I want to direct next spring, which is kind of big news for me because I havent directed in several years. Wait until you see my contract this time, its going to be as tall as this ceiling. Its based on a true story that happened in 1925. I think its going to be a dandy.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
VIEW 11 of 11 COMMENTS
brooklynbabe:
He is hot- I don't know what it is about him. Even my mom agrees 
jaime:
Billy Bob Thorton is on emy my favorite comedians and I hate taht you got to interview him before I could!