Despite being one of his most successful roles

How Will Smith’s Friends Helped Him in Landing Some of the Biggest Roles of His Career

Over the years, Hollywood has witnessed a huge number of actors who have starred
in hit films. However, there are only a handful that have been as consistent
as Will Smith [https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/]. With a career
spanning multiple decades, the Men In Black actor has delivered a series of hit
films and shows. However, initially, the actor had no plans to star in some of
his biggest films.

When we talk about Will Smith films, there are a handful of roles that played a
major role in helping him reach where he is. Fitting the bill is the actor’s
role in successful films, including Men In Black, The Pursuit Of Happyness,
and Ali. Undoubtedly, Smith delivered an incredible performance, and it is
almost impossible to imagine any other actor in these films. However, it might
surprise you to know that things almost took a different turn years ago. During
his recent appearance on the Kevin Hart show, Smith admitted that he was
considering turning down all three roles. 



However, before the actor made his decision not to star in these films, his
close-knit group of friends helped him make a better decision. Reminiscing on
his journey, the actor credited his nears and dears, whom he referred to as his
squad, who persuaded him to seize these legendary films. Smith’s manager and
business partner, James Lassiter, convinced him to take on the Pursuit of
Happyness and Ali. On the other hand, it was director Steven Spielberg’s
persuasion
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-do-me-a-favor-dont-use-your-brain-steven-spielberg-told-will-smith-when-he-turned-down-men-in-black/],
owing to which Smith starred as Agent-J.

ALSO READ: Is Will Smith Going to Return to the $555,000,000 Franchise That Gave
Him the Rise to Fame?
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-is-will-smith-going-to-return-to-the-five-hundred-fifty-five-million-franchise-that-gave-him-the-rise-to-fame/]

Elsewhere, during his interview, Smith admitted how his entire journey as an
actor was a team effort. He further continued that apart from being incredibly
disciplined himself, he always needed his squad to back him. Meanwhile, there
was one hit film by the actor that initially he was almost rejected for. 


THE POPULAR SCI-FI FILM THAT THE ACTOR ALMOST LOST OUT ON

By the mid-1990s, the Men In Black actor had become a household name. Almost
every leading director in the studio wanted to work with the actor. However,
interestingly, 20th Century Fox never wanted to cast the actor in 1996’s
Independence Day, and the reason is surely surprising. 



As per reports by Complex, Fox was against having Smith in the movie as he was
black. Moreover, Roland Emmerich revealed that the studio did not want a black
actor, as would not appeal to the foreign audience. However, it was Emmerich and
Dean Devlin who fought to cast the actor in the role. Unsurprisingly, their
efforts bore fruit as Independence Day went on to become a huge success,
grossing over $817 million.

ALSO READ: Will Smith’s Combined Salary From ‘Men in Black’ Film Series Will
Surprise You
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-will-smiths-combined-salary-from-men-in-black-film-series-will-surprise-you/]

Can you imagine any other actor in any of these roles? Comment down below.

Hamza Qazi

Comment

How Will Smith’s Friends Helped Him in Landing Some of the Biggest Roles of His Career - Netflix Junkie

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Introducing Hamza Qazi, a Hollywood and Anime News writer at Netflix Junkie. Hamza's love affair with anime began early in his life when he fell in love with Naruto, which sparked his interest in reporting. He began channelizing his inner reporter by writing for his school magazine and later for a college magazine. Since then, he has written over 400 articles for Netflix Junkie, covering everything from celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Kanye West to his true passion: comic books and hip hop. Hamza's report "Curious to See ‘Attack on Titan’ in Live Action? An Animator Working on Star Wars’ ‘Ahsoka’ Has An Exciting Surprise for Fans" showcases his love for anime reporting and highlights his ability to bring exclusive news to his readers. When he is not catching up on the latest Football matches, Hamza loves to binge-watch Peaky Blinders or Demon Slayer.

https://netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-how-will-smiths-friends-helped-him-in-landing-some-of-the-biggest-roles-of-his-career

How Will Smith’s Friends Helped Him in Landing Some of the Biggest Roles of His Career - netflix-junkie

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Over the years, Hollywood has witnessed a huge number of actors who have starred in hit films. However, there are only a handful that have been as consistent as <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Will Smith</a>. With a career spanning multiple decades, the Men In Black actor has delivered a series of hit films and shows. However, initially, the actor had no plans to star in some of his biggest films.
When we talk about Will Smith films, there are a handful of roles that played a major role in helping him reach where he is. Fitting the bill is the actor&#8217;s role in successful films, including Men In Black, The Pursuit Of Happyness, and Ali. Undoubtedly, Smith delivered an incredible performance, and it is almost impossible to imagine any other actor in these films. However, it might surprise you to know that things almost took a different turn years ago. During his recent appearance on the Kevin Hart show, Smith admitted that he was considering turning down all three roles. 
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="How Steven Spielberg Convinced Will Smith to Star in ‘Men in Black’ | Hart to Heart" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rDZF8lKCwZI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
However, before the actor made his decision not to star in these films, his close-knit group of friends helped him make a better decision. Reminiscing on his journey, the actor credited his nears and dears, whom he referred to as his squad, who persuaded him to seize these legendary films. Smith&#8217;s manager and business partner, James Lassiter, convinced him to take on the Pursuit of Happyness and Ali. On the other hand, it was <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-do-me-a-favor-dont-use-your-brain-steven-spielberg-told-will-smith-when-he-turned-down-men-in-black/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">director Steven Spielberg&#8217;s persuasion</a>, owing to which Smith starred as Agent-J.
ALSO READ:<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-is-will-smith-going-to-return-to-the-five-hundred-fifty-five-million-franchise-that-gave-him-the-rise-to-fame/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Is Will Smith Going to Return to the $555,000,000 Franchise That Gave Him the Rise to Fame?</a>
Elsewhere, during his interview, Smith admitted how his entire journey as an actor was a team effort. He further continued that apart from being incredibly disciplined himself, he always needed his squad to back him. Meanwhile, there was one hit film by the actor that initially he was almost rejected for. 
<h2>The popular sci-fi film that the actor almost lost out on</h2>
By the mid-1990s, the Men In Black actor had become a household name. Almost every leading director in the studio wanted to work with the actor. However, interestingly, 20th Century Fox never wanted to cast the actor in 1996&#8217;s Independence Day, and the reason is surely surprising. 
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Independence Day | Official Trailer #1 |1996" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B1E7h3SeMDk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
As per reports by Complex, Fox was against having Smith in the movie as he was black. Moreover, Roland Emmerich revealed that the studio did not want a black actor, as would not appeal to the foreign audience. However, it was Emmerich and Dean Devlin who fought to cast the actor in the role. Unsurprisingly, their efforts bore fruit as Independence Day went on to become a huge success, grossing over $817 million.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-will-smiths-combined-salary-from-men-in-black-film-series-will-surprise-you/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Will Smith’s Combined Salary From ‘Men in Black’ Film Series Will Surprise You</a>
Can you imagine any other actor in any of these roles? Comment down below.

Is Will Smith Going to Return to the $555,000,000 Franchise That Gave Him the
Rise to Fame?

Will Smith’s Combined Salary From ‘Men in Black’ Film Series Will Surprise You

Will Smith gave bonus to the King Richard team

LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; NOVEMBER 17: Will Smith attends the photo call for &#8220;King Richard&#8221; at Wimbledon on November 17, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)

Photocall For &#8220;King Richard&#8221; At Wimbledon

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Despite being one of his most successful roles, Will Smith almost said no to Men In Black, Ali and Pursuit of Happyness.

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How Will Smith’s Friends Helped Him in Landing Some of the Biggest Roles of His Career

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