The Daily had the opportunity to speak with legendary actor Billy Bob Thornton over the phone this week about his new movie "Eagle Eye." In the film, which opens on Sept. 26, Thornton plays FBI agent Morgan, who is investigating a suspected terrorist named Jerry (played by Shia LaBeouf). Jerry insists that an anonymous caller has forced him and another woman, Rachel (Michelle Monaghan), by using technology to track and threaten them and their families, to become members of a terrorist cell that has plans to carry out a political assassination. Jerry must work to clear his name by finding out when and why. In the interview, Thornton told the Daily his opinions on technology, different acting styles, music and how to break into the business.
Question: How did you prepare for your role as an FBI agent, and what was your favorite part of the role?
Billy Bob Thornton: Well, I like to play different things all the time, so just the fact that I hadn't played it before was pretty good. I did do some research, and we had an FBI guy there. It's always different though — what you say, when you say it, when there is a bunch of technical lingo and you don't really know what it means. When you say it, I think the audience can tell you are just reciting stuff that you've memorized … the FBI agent was really helpful.
Q: How was this movie different from … your other movies?
BBT: Well, I do a lot of more character-based movies or independent films. This is a big movie though, a lot of action. It's different in the sense that I have to do a lot more running around with a gun [laughs], that kind of thing. Obviously it takes longer to make it; it was similar to making "Armageddon" [1998] or "The Alamo" [2004].
Q: Are there any types of characters that you like playing more?
BBT: I've liked pretty much everything. In the recent past, I've done a lot of comedies which I normally didn't do. I have to say I enjoyed doing those comedies … I think I did too many in a row though; I think I'll wait a few more years before I do another one. I mean, the movies I like doing the most are like "Monster's Ball" [2001] and "The Man Who Wasn't There" [2001] because that's where I live the best.
Q: What was it like working with Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan? Did you have any fun?
BBT: Yeah, we did, actually. Shia's a great kid and I like him very much. He's very mature of an actor for his age. A lot of the time you work with a 21-year-old and they don't quite have their chops yet, but he really does. Michelle is just the sweetest person I have ever worked with, a really wonderful person. I didn't have a lot with Michelle in the movie, but I had quite a bit with Shia. I was just chasing Michelle for most of the movie…
Q: What do you look for in an action movie?
BBT: Well, it's all about the screenplay. If it's well-written, then you have something to start with … you really need one that is smartly written.
Q: What advice do you have for kids looking to break into the movie or music business?
BBT: Well, the first thing is to learn the history of what you are going into, whether it is movies or music or whatever. I think for a young person, it is very important to know because it will give you a foundation when talking to people you are trying to break in with. Then I would say you need to be in L.A., and possibly join a theater group … it is easier to join theater group than it is to join a movie.
Q: In many of your movies, you play the bad guy. Is there any special appeal to playing the bad guy versus the good guy?
BBT: A lot of people assume I play bad guys. I mean, I play an a--hole in "School for Scoundrels" [2006], and I turn out to be not so bad in "Bad Santa" [2003]. There is something appealing about it; they are usually pretty interesting characters, sometimes more interesting than the hero.
Q: Is there anything about your character that you feel personally connected to?
BBT: Yeah, to a degree. You always try to put some of yourself into every character … you try to play it as if you were one of those guys. If I were an FBI guy, that's how I would be. Initially, I had to find my way into it because I didn't relate that much to the character. Of course, there were elements that were similar; a guy being overwhelmed, looking for something he is not quite sure what it is … I've felt that way plenty of times.
Q: In this movie, there seems to be a lot of technology. How does technology play a role in your life?
BBT: Being a musician and having a recording studio, technology is a big part of my life. But in my personal life, I only got a cell phone two years ago and I couldn't tell you how to take a picture on it or anything and I don't really use a computer. A lot of people in my life use computers, so I beg them to help me send an e-mail.
Q: We hear you have a record coming out. What do you do in your band?
BBT: I write the songs [and] do the lead and background vocals on the records. I do play drums on the records, but when we play live I have to be out front so we have a live drummer … although I do go back there sometimes.
