Entertainment & Celebrity News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! - Billy Bob Thornton's Armageddon U-Turn

Episode Date: March 16, 2026

Billy Bob Thornton, once a harsh critic of Armageddon, now acknowledges its enduring appeal. Despite initial backlash for its over-the-top style and weak storytelling, the 1998 blockbuster starring Bruce Willis has become a fan favorite for its pure popcorn fun. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[e-mail] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [e-mail]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8d190722b844ada7

It's March 16th. Here's what's happening in entertainment. Back in 1998, Bruce Willis starred in Armageddon, the top-grossing film of the year. The movie followed oil drillers turned astronauts racing to destroy a massive asteroid heading for Earth. Directed by Michael Bay, it drew huge crowds but faced heavy backlash for its over-the-top style and weak storytelling. Billy Bob Thornton, who played a top NASA official, was one of the biggest critics. He once called the film worthless commercial junk. and said he regretted taking the role.

Thorntn explained he turned down about 20 movies around that time to avoid adding to Hollywood's low-quality output. Critics piled on, too. Film reviewer Roger Ebert slammed it as an attack on basic senses and intelligence. Even Willis complained about the final edit, saying it cut key character moments and underused Thornton. Fast forward to this year, and Thornton has warmed up a bit. In a recent interview, he admitted the movie has lasted well and still airs often.

he shared a funny memory from the first script read where co-stars wondered what they were doing there. Thornton had just broken out with his Oscar-winning drama Slingblade, so jumping into a blockbuster felt off. Still, many fans enjoy Armageddon today as pure popcorn fun, flaws, and all. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. If Sleep Podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow, built for comfort and calm. S-O-L-I-Soli-Pillow.com. Thank you.