The role Billy Bob Thornton has always wanted to play: “He was the first rock star”
From humble beginnings in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the Academy Awards, Billy Bob Thornton has been on quite a ride. He’s shared the screen with titans, starred in and written some truly great pictures, and once had to put up with Jon Voight being his father-in-law. The man deserves a medal, maybe two.
In addition to the many great fictional creations Thornton has brought to life, he’s also embodied his fair share of real people. He’s played a number of famous frontiersmen, including Marshal Jim Courtright on the TV show 1883 and Davy Crockett in the 2004 film The Alamo. Though not technically a ‘real person’, he did play the President of the United States in Richard Curtis’ Love Actually. He and Prime Minister Hugh Grant fight for the affections of a lowly staffer, a situation that seemed ridiculous in 2003, but feels more and more plausible by the day in our modern climate.
There’s one historical figure that the actor-turned-musician would really love to get to grips with. Speaking with The Boot, Thornton was asked which character he would love to play in a biopic. Without a second thought, he landed on one of the most important individuals in the history of America.
“Benjamin Franklin,” he said. “He was the first rock star. That guy was a total Renaissance man. People think of him as the guy who flew a kite and figured out electricity, but he was the Ambassador to France. He was a practical guy, but a real spiritual guy… and a real ladies’ man.”
Known to many as the key-wielding face of the $100 bill, Benjamin Franklin is one of the most important members of the group known as America’s ‘Founding Fathers’. As Thornton notes, he served as the fledgling country’s French ambassador for six years, as well as representing the nation in Sweden. During his time in Europe, he helped broker many connections between the US and the colonial powers.
He signed the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended his country’s war with Britain, as well as the Declaration of Independence and the original Constitution. He also enjoyed many affairs (despite being married) and once wrote a public letter advising young men on how to best choose a mistress. He also once wrote an essay on the joys of farting. What a guy.
The so-called ‘First American’ has appeared in many, many films and TV shows over the years. Michael Douglas played him in an Apple TV+ series and reportedly had a great time doing so. He’s been in many historical dramas and biopics, either as a major player or a supporting character in the story of his contemporaries. He even met The Flintstones in an episode where the family travels to the past… or should that be the future?
With Franklin continuing to enchant the American public and his life story continuing to provide ample fodder for writers, there is every chance that Thornton might get to achieve his dream. Much like his idol, he’s also had quite the history with women, having been married six times. You could say he’s been preparing for this role his entire life.
