Billy Bob Thornton and Kathy Bates almost crossed paths earlier in their careers — but it wasn't meant to be. "There was a time I went in and read for [director] Rob Reiner for Misery," Thornton revealed when the stars reunited for Variety's Actors on Actors series.

Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton reveal during Variety's 'Actors on Actors' that they nearly starred in 'Misery' together.

Rob Reiner's Misery is a great movie with a number of fantastic behind-the-scenes tales – including the fact that a significant collection of big actors were offered and turned down the role of Paul Sheldon before James Caan said "yes" (the list including Robert Redford,