by Noah Armstrong
Daily Lobo
Billy Bob Thornton has not censored his usual personality to promote his upcoming PG-rated children's movie.
For example, Thornton doesn't apologize for his public displays of affection toward women.
"Show me a man who doesn't like to drink and doesn't like women, and I'll kiss your ass," he said.
In the past, the actor stirred controversy when he talked openly about his sex life with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. He said he doesn't see anything wrong with talking about how much he loves women.
"I've always liked them," he said. "I think women feel that and know when you appreciate the species. Also, I learned to use my sexual apparatus at an early age."
Thornton is known for playing characters such as drunken Santa Clauses and racist prison guards. But this summer, Thornton will star in a remake of the 1976 movie, "Bad News Bears." It's a film about a Little League team of misfits. He said working on "Bad News Bears" was fun because it is a movie his sons would be allowed to see.
"I have two boys, and it's about time I made something they could watch, too," he said.
John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, the writers of "Bad Santa," adapted the "Bears" screenplay.
"I love working with those guys," Thornton said. "I like characters who seem to be on the edge of life a little more."
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He said those kinds of characters are paired well with stories that are less elaborate and easier to understand. "Bad Santa" and "Bad News Bears" are simple stories with complex characters, he said.
Thornton said he hasn't sold out, despite making "Bad Santa 2" and a children's film.
"I certainly didn't sell out," he said. "If I sold out, I'd be making $25 million a movie."
The original "Bad News Bears" starred Walter Matthau. Thornton takes on Matthau's character, a down-on-his luck former minor league baseball player who ends up coaching a Little League team. Thornton said he has a lot of respect for Matthau, and it was difficult taking on one of his roles.
"I love Walter Matthau," he said. "You're trying to re-create something that's already been done well. It's kind of along the lines of the original movie."
"Bad News Bears" opens July 22.
