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Billy Bob breaks 'Bad News'

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Billy Bob Thornton arrives for a premiere of the movie "The Alamo" in San Antonio, Texas, in March 2004. Thornton is starring in the upcoming remake of "The Bad News Bears."

People loved him coaching kids in "Friday Night Lights," and they loved him insulting children who sat on his lap in "Bad Santa." Now, Billy Bob Thornton is going to combine those skills in his newest movie, "The Bad News Bears," which comes out July 22.

In a candid interview, Thornton talks about his newest movie and how it will compare to the original, among other things.

The State Press: What was your favorite part of "The Bad News Bears"?

Billy Bob Thornton: I loved the original movie and loved Walter Matthau. The guys who wrote "Bad Santa" wrote the script.

SP: Why are you making more family-oriented movies?

BBT: It has a more broad appeal. I have two kids of my own, and it's about time I made a movie that they can see and still pushes the envelope a little bit.

SP: Is it tough making a remake?

BBT: There's always going to be fans of the original movie. It has been updated and modernized but on the same lines. There's a little added pressure. We put our own spin and honored the original.

SP: How were the kids in the movie?

BBT: They were perfectly cast and wild -- great baseball players. They all knew how to play before we started shooting, and it was easier to fake being a bad player ... I still keep in touch with them.

SP: Is the remake going to have the same shock appeal as the original?

BBT: I think it's hard to surprise kids any more. I just went down the same path as Walter [Matthau]. It's still pretty racy, but now kids hear so many things, it might not be as shocking. When the original was made, kids weren't used to it. Kids watch "South Park," so now it's a part of their sense of humor.

SP: Do you relate more easily to the younger generation than yours?

BBT: I think more like a college audience than my group. My sense of humor is more like an 18- or 19-year-old. I'm one of the greatest college dropouts in history.

SP: Did you play little league as a kid?

BBT: I did. I was a baseball player. My coach was the opposite of Buttermaker. Where my high school coach is similar -- Buttermaker and my old coach cared about the kids too.

SP: With big money-making movies like "The Alamo" and "Friday Night Lights," do you think you have adapted to Hollywood commercialism?

BBT: I didn't sell out. I pick movies depending if I like them. If I sold out, I would be making 25 million bucks a movie.

SP: What's the message in "The Bad News Bears"?

BBT: Maybe you're not the fastest kid on the block, but if you give a little bit of effort, you might be better than you think you are. Let your kids be who they want to be.

SP: Since "The Bad News Bears" was written by the same people as "Bad Santa," do you think they hinder the character?

BBT: Show me a man who doesn't like to drink and like women, and I'll kiss your ass.

SP: What is so funny about abusing young children?

BBT: We all grew up with guys like that. People have always loved the lovable curmudgeon.

Reach the reporter at monis.rose@asu.edu.


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