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Will Smith is one of the biggest stars of the Hollywood industry, with a long list of blockbusters to his name. The Academy Award winner tasted fame at a very young age when he starred as the lead in the NBC seriesThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airfor six years. The actor consolidated his position as an action hero withBad Boys, Independence Day, and others. However, the most popular film of the actor to date isthe Men In Blackseries. However, Smith was initially not inclined towards his career-defining role.
The actor once shared the reason for taking up the role of Agent J in the film. Smith revealed he was convinced by director Steven Spielberg, for his iconic part.
Also read-“If I were you, I would take the other movie”: Men in Black Director Had to Lie to Batman Star to Get Will Smith for Iconic Role Against Steven Spielberg’s Wish
Will Smith revealed his reason for rejecting his role inMen In Black
The Pursuit of Happynessactor talked about the role in the podcastHart to Heartwith comedian Kevin Hart. The star shared that he was initially not very interested in taking up the character inMen In Black, because he had done an alien film in the recent past.
He shared,
“[James Lassiter] picked Men in Black, I kinda understood Men in Black a little bit, but I didn’t want to make Men in Black. That was the next year after Independence Day, so I didn’t want to make two alien movies back to back.”
The actor played the lead in the 1996 filmIndependence Dayas Captain Steven Hiller. The film also stars Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. It was a commercial and critical success. The film revolves around a group of people who plan a massive attack on extraterrestrial beings who plan to invade Earth.
Also read-Will Smith, Who Charged $100 Million For Men in Black 3, Demanded a $2 Million Luxury Trailer With a Private Movie Theatre In It Before Signing the Contracts
Steven Speilberg convinced Will Smith forMen In Blackwith a helicopter
Will Smith had initially rejected the role of Agent J in the film Men In Black. However, theIndiana Jonesdirector, who was the producer for the film, wanted to make sure thatWill Smithwas cast in the movie. Hence he sent a helicopter to him so that Smith could meet him in person.
Smith recalled,
“Steven Spielberg sent a helicopter for me. … It landed at his house, and he had me at ‘hello.’ … And it was the first time I’d ever had lemonade with carbonated water. I was like, ‘This is regular.’… He flew me in, and he said the coldest shit. He said, ‘Tell me why you don’t want to make my movie.’ And he’s the producer. And he put the ellipsis at the end, it was the dot, dot, dot. ‘Tell me why you don’t want to make my movie.’ It was the dot, dot, dot. If he had continued, he would’ve said, ‘Joker, you know I made Jaws, right? You know I made E.T.’”
Will Smith metSteven Spielbergwhen he was already a celebrated director with numerous hits. Smith still had the right to turn downMen in Black, but luckily, he changed his mind and agreed to star withTommy Lee Jonesas the lead in MIB. Agent J is to date one of Will Smith’s most fantastic performances. He reprised the character inMen in Black 2andMen in Black3.
Also read-“I don’t think he understood that comedy”: Will Smith’s $1.9B Franchise Co-Star Didn’t Find Him Funny at All
Source-Cinema Blend
Arushi Srivastava
Articles Published :711
Arushi is a keen follower of Hollywood movies and TV shows. She has an experience of 5+ years in content writing and loves to write on everything around Hollywood and fan fiction. An ardent Hollywood buff, Arushi loves to tell stories through her writing and has contributed to several posts. You will find her following celebrities and enjoying classics in her free time.
