Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates virtually crossed paths earlier of their careers — nevertheless it wasn't meant to be.

"There was a time I went in and browse for [director] Rob Reiner for Distress," Thornton revealed when the celebrities sat right down to catch up for Selection'sActors on Actors sequence.

The Matlock actress, who performed the feminine lead in Misery and scored an Oscar for her efficiency, was shocked, replying, "You didn’t!"

"I swear to God," Thornton confirmed.

Thornton's revelation comes after three a long time of realizing Bates. They first shared the display screen in 1998's Major Colours, the Mike Nichols dramedy a couple of presidential marketing campaign. Eighteen years later, they might reunite for Unhealthy Santa 2. However in line with Thornton, they may have starred collectively in a film as early as 1990.

"Initially, Richard Farnsworth, who performed the sheriff [in Misery], had a deputy," he defined. "I noticed Rob Reiner for it. And Rob stated proper within the room, 'You're the man. We are able to ship everyone else dwelling.' I used to be very excited."

Sadly, inventive selections led to his character getting minimize from the script earlier than filming even started.

Rob Reiner told Kathy Bates she would never win the Oscar for 'Misery' Billy Bob Thornton explains why he turned down 'Mission: Impossible III' villain role

"I received a name from Rob Reiner — not many administrators would do that — he referred to as me and he stated, 'Hear, I've been wanting on the script and been planning out what I'm going to do with this film,'" Thornton recalled. "He stated, 'You’ll be able to come up right here and shoot this for the cash or the insurance coverage or no matter you want, however I'm simply telling you it's not going to be within the film.'"

The Landman star continued, "He stated, 'I don't need you to come back up right here anticipating that that is going to be within the film. And I didn't need you to be disenchanted.'"

Ultimately, Thornton declined to hitch the shoot, however he was grateful for Reiner's dealing with of the state of affairs.

"I believed that was very cool of him," he stated.

Bates agreed, "Yeah, very cool."

Primarily based on the Stephen King horror novel of the identical identify, Distress stars Bates as Annie Wilkes, the "number-one fan" of romance creator Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who saves him after a automotive wreck, solely to jail him in her dwelling and torture him. The movie marked a career-defining second for Bates, who earned the Academy Award for Greatest Actress for her function.

Although Thornton didn't get to bask within the glory of Distress, he achieved his personal Oscar success throughout the identical decade, racking up worldwide popularity of writing, directing, and starring in 1996's Sling Blade. He not solely received the award for Greatest Tailored Screenplay, but in addition received a nod for Greatest Actor. He could be nominated once more simply two years later for his supporting function in A Easy Plan.

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Each stars had accolades and massive careers forward of them after they got here collectively for Major Shades. And although their characters by no means come collectively within the film, Bates has solely fond recollections of starring alongside Thornton.

"There was sooner or later, we had been in the home, and we had been ready, and also you and I had been mendacity on the ground. I do not forget that," she stated. "You had been this fashion, and I used to be that approach, and our heads had been [together], and we had been simply speaking."

"I bear in mind," Thornton replied with a smile.

"I don't know what we had been speaking about," stated Bates, "however that was enjoyable."

Watch Thornton and Bates reunite and reminisce within the video above.

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