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In 1999, Sam Rockwell played a truly “atrocious” character, but he still wouldn’t call him a villain
Sam Rockwell’s performance as William “Wild Bill” Wharton in *The Green Mile* showed how he could make even a deeply disturbing character compelling. Although Wharton is a violent killer, Rockwell said he did not think of him as a villain, focusing instead on his bravado, resilience and defiance.
The 1999 film, starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, became a critical and commercial success, earning four Oscar nominations and grossing almost $300 million. Rockwell was not nominated, but the role helped establish a career that later brought him two consecutive Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominations, for *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* and *Vice*.
In short
- Rockwell portrayed death-row inmate Wild Bill in *The Green Mile*.
- He saw the character’s bravado and defiance alongside his terrible actions.
- The film grossed almost $300 million and earned four Oscar nominations.