Will Smith started his reign as one of the most bankable movie stars today thanks to the success of ‘Independence Day.’ Career transitions don’t often work out in Hollywood, but stars were aligned in Will Smith’s case. So why did he reject starring in the science fiction film ‘Men In Black’?
Will Smith recently told Kevin Hart about his doubts about starring in back-to-back projects of similar nature. Smith wasn’t looking to star in another sci-fi movie. But when Steven Spielberg took a personal interest, things turned around. Movie history was made as Will Smith’s stature as a movie star grew tenfold.
Will Smith Didnt Want To Star In ‘Men In Black’
Had it not been Steven Spielberg, Will Smith would have missed on another bonafide movie star role. During his recent appearance on Kevin Hart’s talk show ‘Hart to Heart,’ The 52-year-old actor told his host about not wanting to star in the 1997 movie ‘Men In Black.’ Having just done ‘Independence Day,’ he wasn’t keen on another science fiction film.
The news of Will Smith rejecting ‘Men In Black’ reached Steven Spielberg. The filmmaker sent a helicopter for the now Oscar-winning actor. As the two got talking, Spielberg said “the coldest shit” to the actor. The filmmaker asked, “Tell me why you don’t want to make my movie…” Unable to come up with an explanation, the 52-year-old actor changed his mind.
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‘Men In Black’ Grossed $589.4 Million At The Box Office
Released in the US in 1997, ‘Men In Black’ follows the adventures of Agent J and K, scum-fighting super-agents; their latest mission is to save the world from alien threats and invasions. Made for $90 million, it earned $590 million at the global box office. Due to its box office success, it spawned two sequels and a spin-off movie.
Written by Ed Solomon and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, ‘Men In Black’ stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones and Agents J and K. It has a wonderful supporting, featuring Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D’Onofrio, Tony Shalhoub, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, David Cross, and Rip Torn.
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