Did you know Will Smith was not the first and right choice for Independence Day according to the executives at the studios.

Did You Know Will Smith Wasn’t the “Right Choice” to Be Cast in the Blockbuster Film, ‘Independence Day’?

Throughout his career, Will Smith has starred in many blockbuster movies. He got
recognition for his wonderful performances in each one of them. Despite
Independence Day getting wide recognition, being appreciated for Smith’s
performance, and winning even Academy Award for Best Visual Effects; did you
know the Oscar-winning actor was not the first and right choice for the film?

Independence Day turned the Men in Black actor into a star while giving birth to
one of the greatest movie speeches. The movie earned a lot of money at the Box
Office, and Roland Emmerich (director) and Dean Devlin (writer) opened up about
it with The Hollywood Reporter when it turned 25 years in 2021. They talked
about the film and how the executives were against Smith being the star of the
film. While they were writing the script of the film, Emmerich and Devlin went
to the Studio and shared their thought about casting Smith along with Jeff
Goldblum.



The studio opposed the Aladdin actor’s casting because he was not established at
the time, as shared by Emmerich and Delvin with The Hollywood Reporter
[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/independence-day-movie-cast-oral-history-1234976626].
They said he would not appeal to the foreign audience. However, Devlin’s
argument was the movie was about space aliens. Therefore, it would do fine with
a foreign audience.

Amidst this giant war about casting Smith, whom the executives thought was not
suitable for the role, Devlin won. Ultimately, they took Smith in and the rest
is history.

ALSO READ: Is the Will Smith Starrer $800M+, ‘Independence Day’ Available on
Netflix? Where Can You Stream It?
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-the-will-smith-starrer-800m-independence-day-available-on-netflix-where-can-you-stream-it/]


WILL SMITH STARRER INDEPENDENCE DAY BECAME A BLOCKBUSTER

Released on the 4th of July, 1996; Independence Day grossed a massive amount of
$817.4 million globally. The film got wide recognition globally and won awards
as well. While people loved the 54-year-old actor in the film, it changed his
life. It also received the People’s Choice Award for the Favorite Dramatic
Movie.



Later, the filmmakers asked the Bad Boys star to come back for the sequel as
well in 2016. While interested in returning, Smith has to drop out due to
scheduling conflicts, as he was working on Suicide Squad at the time.

ALSO READ: A WIN FOR WILL! After Disney Comeback Will Smith Set to Return for
Another Fan-Favorite Movie’s Sequel
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-a-win-for-will-after-disney-comeback-will-smith-set-to-return-for-another-fan-favorite-movies-sequel-hitch-aladdin-oscars-slapgate-chris-rock/]

Have you watched Independence Day? Do you agree that Smith was the best choice
for Captain Steven Hiller? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.

Neha Chande

Comment

Did You Know Will Smith Wasn’t the “Right Choice” to Be Cast in the Blockbuster Film, ‘Independence Day’? - Netflix Junkie

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Meet Neha Chande, an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, who has written more than 1100 articles. With a Master's degree in English Literature, Neha believes in unbiased journalism. Before delving into her passion for writing and cinema, she taught English and communication skills as a facilitator and lecturer. Writing has been Neha's passion since childhood, and with a degree in Theatre Arts, she enjoys analyzing movies and shows of all genres. Recently, while watching My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Neha was deeply moved by Will Smith's spiritual journey, which led to a lot of self-discovery. She has a deep appreciation for poetry, regardless of the language, and prefers to lose herself in the romantic world of books and movies rather than the chaotic reality.

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Did You Know Will Smith Wasn’t the “Right Choice” to Be Cast in the Blockbuster Film, ‘Independence Day’? - netflix-junkie

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Throughout his career, Will Smith has starred in many blockbuster movies. He got recognition for his wonderful performances in each one of them. Despite Independence Day getting wide recognition, being appreciated for Smith&#8217;s performance, and winning even Academy Award for Best Visual Effects; did you know the Oscar-winning actor was not the first and right choice for the film?
Independence Day turned the Men in Black actor into a star while giving birth to one of the greatest movie speeches. The movie earned a lot of money at the Box Office, and Roland Emmerich (director) and Dean Devlin (writer) opened up about it with The Hollywood Reporter when it turned 25 years in 2021. They talked about the film and how the executives were against Smith being the star of the film. While they were writing the script of the film, Emmerich and Devlin went to the Studio and shared their thought about casting Smith along with Jeff Goldblum.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Independence Day (4/5) Movie CLIP - The President&#039;s Speech (1996) HD" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9t1IK_9apWs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
The studio opposed the Aladdin actor&#8217;s casting because he was not established at the time, as <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/independence-day-movie-cast-oral-history-1234976626" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared by Emmerich and Delvin with The Hollywood Reporter</a>. They said he would not appeal to the foreign audience. However, Devlin&#8217;s argument was the movie was about space aliens. Therefore, it would do fine with a foreign audience.
Amidst this giant war about casting Smith, whom the executives thought was not suitable for the role, Devlin won. Ultimately, they took Smith in and the rest is history.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-is-the-will-smith-starrer-800m-independence-day-available-on-netflix-where-can-you-stream-it/" rel="bookmark">Is the Will Smith Starrer $800M+, ‘Independence Day’ Available on Netflix? Where Can You Stream It?</a>
<h2>Will Smith starrer Independence Day became a blockbuster</h2>
Released on the 4th of July, 1996; Independence Day grossed a massive amount of $817.4 million globally. The film got wide recognition globally and won awards as well. While people loved the 54-year-old actor in the film, it changed his life. It also received the People&#8217;s Choice Award for the Favorite Dramatic Movie.
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Independence Day/Best scene/Roland Emmerich/Will Smith/Steven Hiller/Jeff Goldblum/David Levinson" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GRSj9GGVK_k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Later, the filmmakers asked the Bad Boys star to come back for the sequel as well in 2016. While interested in returning, Smith has to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, as he was working on Suicide Squad at the time.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-a-win-for-will-after-disney-comeback-will-smith-set-to-return-for-another-fan-favorite-movies-sequel-hitch-aladdin-oscars-slapgate-chris-rock/" rel="bookmark">A WIN FOR WILL! After Disney Comeback Will Smith Set to Return for Another Fan-Favorite Movie’s Sequel</a>
Have you watched Independence Day? Do you agree that Smith was the best choice for Captain Steven Hiller? Share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.

A WIN FOR WILL! After Disney Comeback Will Smith Set to Return for Another
Fan-Favorite Movie’s Sequel

Is the Will Smith Starrer $800M+, ‘Independence Day’ Available on Netflix? Where
Can You Stream It?

LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; MAY 16:Will Smith attends the UK premiere of &#8216;Men in Black 3&#8217; at Odeon Leicester Square on May 16, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage)

Men in Black 3 &#8211; Gala Premiere &#8211; Outside Arrivals

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Did You Know Will Smith Wasn’t the “Right Choice” to Be Cast in the Blockbuster Film, ‘Independence Day’?

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