Billy Bob Thornton Eyes On-Screen Reunion With Country Icons
Billy Bob Thornton, known for his dual careers in acting and music, is eager to join forces on screen with country legends Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, both of whom have shared acting credits with him in the past.
Billy Bob Thornton has never been especially fond of the label 'actor who makes music.' It’s a description that, while technically accurate, doesn’t quite capture the way he splits his time between the two crafts. Depending on who you ask, he might just as easily be a musician who acts. These days, he’s as likely to be found in a recording studio or on stage as he is on a film set, and that’s precisely how he prefers it. Since reaching a point in his career where he could call the shots, Thornton has managed to keep a foot in both worlds, balancing film projects with live performances and studio sessions.
Despite the fact that his filmography outweighs his discography, Thornton spends more nights playing gigs than he does shooting scenes. This dual existence suits him, and he’s in no hurry to tip the scales. Yet, there’s one crossover he’s still hoping to see: a proper collaboration with two of country music’s biggest names, not in the studio, but in front of the camera.
Country Royalty and Missed Connections
Thornton’s musical journey has seen him work alongside a fair few notable names, both as a solo artist and with his band, the Boxmasters. He’s even turned down the chance to direct a music video for Bob Dylan, a personal hero. But when it comes to dream collaborations, two names stand out: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. For those not steeped in the world of country, it’s hard to overstate just how significant these two are in the United States. Both are chart-topping artists in their own right, and together, they’re something of a power couple in the genre.
Acting isn’t foreign territory for either of them. McGraw took on a supporting role in the 2004 sports drama 'Friday Night Lights,' where Thornton played the lead. Hill and McGraw also starred as Margaret and James Dutton in the period drama '1883,' with Thornton making a brief appearance as the formidable marshal Jim Courtright. Their paths have crossed, but never quite aligned for a full-blown collaboration.
Hopes for a Shared Screen
Thornton and the country duo have been friends for years, their careers weaving in and out of each other’s orbits. When the idea was floated that Hill and McGraw might join the ensemble cast of his television series 'Landman,' Thornton was quick to express his enthusiasm.
“Well, that would be awesome if they do,”
he remarked.
“But, you know, Taylor Sheridan, he kind of picks and chooses whatever he wants for the show. We don’t have a lot of clout in terms of that, but maybe we’ll bring their names up and see what happens.”
Given Sheridan’s penchant for casting familiar faces across his various projects, and his clear affection for stories rooted in country sensibilities, the prospect isn’t entirely far-fetched. Thornton, for his part, seems content to wait and see if the stars align. If not, there’s always the possibility of a musical collaboration down the line.