Will Smith was &quot;too big&quot; of a movie star for Steven Spielberg who has never cast the &#039;King Richard&#039; actor in any of his movies.

Steven Spielberg Once Revealed to Will Smith Why He Never Hired the Actor Despite Working Together on &#8216;Men in Black II&#8217;

Steven Spielberg is a hugely influential and respected filmmaker. He has helmed
numerous iconic blockbusters and beloved cinematic classics throughout his
career. Additionally, the director has often been hailed as a visionary for
bringing larger-than-life projects to fruition, like the Jurassic Park
franchise. The director’s iconic take on the now fossilized creatures captured
the hearts and minds of entire generations. Therefore, it is safe to assume that
he has worked alongside several big names in Hollywood.

However, there is one notable movie star with whom he has never collaborated, at
least as a director: Will Smith [https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/].
And the director has a reasonable excuse for why.


WILL SMITH PERSONALLY ASKED STEVEN SPIELBERG WHY HE WAS NEVER HIRED

Spielberg and Smith have crossed paths on occasions throughout their careers,
but they have not had the chance to collaborate as actor-director on a film
project together. The closest they came was back in 2002 when Spielberg was an
executive producer in Men in Black II. The filmmaker had to go and convince
Smith
[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/]
to take on the role, as the latter was feeling unsure.



In a 2000 interview with The Morning Call
[https://www.mcall.com/2000/11/04/spotlight-on-will-smith-he-takes-a-swing-at-bagger-vance-and-finds-the-role-fits-him-to-a-tee/],
Will Smith revealed how he asked the director why he had never cast him for his
movies, to which the filmmaker replied, ‘Oh, you’re too big for my movies.’ 
Notably, Spielberg never hands out the paychecks to his actors in one go. This
goes against the usual way of paying big Hollywood A-listers like the actor.
Therefore, Steven Spielberg tries to avoid involving big icons in his movies.
Thus, so was the reason why he has never cast the actor.

ALSO READ: Will Smith and Spielberg’s Near Collaboration That Almost Remade This
2003 Park Chan-wook’s Neo Noir
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-will-smith-and-spielbergs-near-collaboration-that-almost-remade-this-2003-park-chan-wooks-neo-noir/]

But this conversation struck a chord with the actor and helped him change for
the better.


“THE PERSONA I CREATED HAD BECOME TOO BIG FOR THE STORIES I WANT TO TELL,” FEELS
THE ACTOR

In light of his conversation with Spielberg, Will Smith realized a personal
crisis for himself. The actor has established himself as a successful and
beloved actor in Hollywood, renowned for his captivating performances in
blockbuster hits such as Independence Day, Men in Black, and Hitch. However,
beneath his confident exterior, he was troubled. In his memoir, he revealed
feeling confined by the persona he had crafted over the years–a “talking
charmer” who always had to be funny, likable, and heroic. This persona had
outgrown the stories he desired to tell; stories that were more intricate,
nuanced, and vulnerable.



Smith also shared how he decided to break free from his established persona and
explore demanding and diverse roles that truly reflected his authentic self. He
drew inspiration from his son, Jaden Smith, who encouraged him to embrace
authenticity and creativity. His shift in focus was rewarding, as he recently
achieved an Oscar win for his remarkable portrayal of Richard Williams in King
Richard.

ALSO READ: “I just felt it was,” Will Smith Once Revealed the Reason He Paid
Bonuses for Everyone on ‘King Richard’s’ Set
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-i-just-felt-it-was-will-smith-once-revealed-the-reason-he-paid-bonuses-for-everyone-on-king-richards-set/]

What do you think of Will Smith as an actor? Do you think he should collaborate
with Steven Spielberg? Let us know in the comments below.

Imteshal Karim

Comment

Steven Spielberg Once Revealed to Will Smith Why He Never Hired the Actor Despite Working Together on &#8216;Men in Black II&#8217; - Netflix Junkie

Home

Hollywood News

Netflix Junkie

https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/nj_bg_transparent-1.png

Imteshal Karim is a Hollywood News reporter at NetflixJunkie. With a penchant for writing in multiple forms, he is a published writer with his works published in anthologies. A star at his college’s writing competitions, he loves telling a good story and hopes to tell impactful ones about the unexplored side of the Entertainment industry. Imteshal found the movie of his life in 2014’s Interstellar, which fascinated him with the perfect blend of science and cinema, leaving him curious about Hollywood. In his leisure time, you will find him indulging in photography, gardening, and cycling.

https://netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-steven-spielberg-once-revealed-to-will-smith-why-he-never-hired-the-actor-despite-working-together-on-men-in-black-ii

Steven Spielberg Once Revealed to Will Smith Why He Never Hired the Actor Despite Working Together on &#8216;Men in Black II&#8217; - netflix-junkie

Is There a 'Dollhouse' Movie? How to Watch It in 2026

Jimmy Fallon Has a Special Plan for BLACKPINK’s Lisa After Her Disneyland
Revelation

Fact Check: Has Grant Gustin Really Been Cast as The Flash in James Gunn’s DCU?

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Credits Mindy Kaling for One Crucial Realization Amid
Online Hate

Worst Marvel Movies Ever: 5 MCU Films Fan's Wish Get Lost in The Multiverse

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Reveals She Beat 15,000-Person Netflix Search for 'Never
Have I Ever' to Hang Out With a Friend

‘The Retrievals’: Netflix’s Yale Fertility Drama-Inspired Series Books Jessica
Chastain

“The Girls Didn’t Get Along,”- 'Charlie’s Angels’ Jaclyn Smith Reveals What Went
Wrong With the 2019 Reboot

"Push Marvel Into Some Sense of Responsibility "- 'Werewolf By Night' Star Urges
Fans to Push Marvel For a Sequel

Steven Spielberg is a hugely influential and respected filmmaker. He has helmed numerous iconic blockbusters and beloved cinematic classics throughout his career. Additionally, the director has often been hailed as a visionary for bringing larger-than-life projects to fruition, like the Jurassic Park franchise. The director&#8217;s iconic take on the now fossilized creatures captured the hearts and minds of entire generations. Therefore, it is safe to assume that he has worked alongside several big names in Hollywood.
However, there is one notable movie star with whom he has never collaborated, at least as a director: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/tag/will-smith/">Will Smith</a>. And the director has a reasonable excuse for why.
<h2>Will Smith personally asked Steven Spielberg why he was never hired</h2>
Spielberg and Smith have crossed paths on occasions throughout their careers, but they have not had the chance to collaborate as actor-director on a film project together. The closest they came was back in 2002 when Spielberg was an executive producer in Men in Black II. <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">The filmmaker had to go and convince Smith</a> to take on the role, as the latter was feeling unsure.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="MEN IN BLACK II [2002] - Official Trailer (HD)" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DMHlNR6x2Sw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<a href="https://www.mcall.com/2000/11/04/spotlight-on-will-smith-he-takes-a-swing-at-bagger-vance-and-finds-the-role-fits-him-to-a-tee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a 2000 interview with The Morning Call</a>, Will Smith revealed how he asked the director why he had never cast him for his movies, to which the filmmaker replied, ‘Oh, you’re too big for my movies.’  Notably, Spielberg never hands out the paychecks to his actors in one go. This goes against the usual way of paying big Hollywood A-listers like the actor. Therefore, Steven Spielberg tries to avoid involving big icons in his movies. Thus, so was the reason why he has never cast the actor.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-will-smith-and-spielbergs-near-collaboration-that-almost-remade-this-2003-park-chan-wooks-neo-noir/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Will Smith and Spielberg’s Near Collaboration That Almost Remade This 2003 Park Chan-wook’s Neo Noir</a>
But this conversation struck a chord with the actor and helped him change for the better.
<h2>“The persona I created had become too big for the stories I want to tell,” feels the actor</h2>
In light of his conversation with Spielberg, Will Smith realized a personal crisis for himself. The actor has established himself as a successful and beloved actor in Hollywood, renowned for his captivating performances in blockbuster hits such as Independence Day, Men in Black, and Hitch. However, beneath his confident exterior, he was troubled. In his memoir, he revealed feeling confined by the persona he had crafted over the years–a &#8220;talking charmer&#8221; who always had to be funny, likable, and heroic. This persona had outgrown the stories he desired to tell; stories that were more intricate, nuanced, and vulnerable.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="KING RICHARD – Official Trailer" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKP_0z52ZAw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Smith also shared how he decided to break free from his established persona and explore demanding and diverse roles that truly reflected his authentic self. He drew inspiration from his son, Jaden Smith, who encouraged him to embrace authenticity and creativity. His shift in focus was rewarding, as he recently achieved an Oscar win for his remarkable portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-i-just-felt-it-was-will-smith-once-revealed-the-reason-he-paid-bonuses-for-everyone-on-king-richards-set/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;I just felt it was,&#8221; Will Smith Once Revealed the Reason He Paid Bonuses for Everyone on &#8216;King Richard’s&#8217; Set</a>
What do you think of Will Smith as an actor? Do you think he should collaborate with Steven Spielberg? Let us know in the comments below.

Will Smith and Spielberg’s Near Collaboration That Almost Remade This 2003 Park
Chan-wook’s Neo Noir

“I just felt it was” – Will Smith Once Revealed the Reason He Paid Bonuses for
Everyone on ‘King Richard’s’ Set

HOLLYWOOD, CA &#8211; FEBRUARY 24: Actor Will Smith arrives at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures &#8216;Focus&#8217; at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Los Angeles Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures &#8220;Focus&#8221;

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/netflixjunkie-logo-2.jpg

https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GettyImages-465783654-scaled.jpg

Will Smith was "too big" of a movie star for Steven Spielberg who has never cast the 'King Richard' actor in any of his movies.

Steven Spielberg Once Revealed to Will Smith Why He Never Hired the Actor Despite Working Together on 'Men in Black II' - Netflix Junkie

https://image-cdn.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/imteshal-karim-nj.png

description

“…Too Big for My Movies,” Steven Spielberg on Why He Never Hired Will Smith

https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-steven-spielberg-once-revealed-to-will-smith-why-he-never-hired-the-actor-despite-working-together-on-men-in-black-ii/

Steven Spielberg Once Revealed to Will Smith Why He Never Hired the Actor Despite Working Together on ‘Men in Black II’

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

EDITORS' PICK

The World of NJ

Connect With Us

General

Legal