Will Smith Reveals Surprising Reasons for Turning Down Iconic Movie Roles
Will Smith's Career Choices Under the Spotlight
Los Angeles: Will Smith recently shocked fans by disclosing that he declined the lead role in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed film ‘Inception’ due to his inability to grasp the storyline.
During an interview with Kiss Xtra radio, Smith recounted how Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately took on the role in the mind-bending thriller, as reported by a media outlet.
Smith admitted, “I don’t think I’ve ever shared this before, but I feel comfortable saying it now.”
He elaborated, “Chris Nolan approached me with ‘Inception’ first, and I just didn’t get it. I’ve never voiced that before. Those films that delve into alternate realities often don’t pitch well. Yet, I feel a sense of loss over missing out on them.”
The film went on to become a massive success, earning $839 million globally.
At the time, it was rumored that Brad Pitt was Nolan’s initial choice, but he did not take the role. Smith, who later revealed his confusion about the plot, was followed by DiCaprio, who turned it into one of his most successful films.
While Smith recognizes that passing on ‘Inception’ was a significant misstep, he considers it less painful than his choice to reject the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ That iconic role was eventually played by Keanu Reeves, leading to a legendary action franchise.
Smith remarked during the interview, “It’s too painful to discuss.”
In a YouTube video from 2019, he explained his reasons for turning down ‘The Matrix,’ stating that he struggled to connect with the Wachowski siblings’ vision, which focused more on their directing style than the narrative itself.
He recounted their pitch: “Imagine you’re in a fight and you jump. What if you could pause mid-jump? People could see around you 360 degrees while you’re suspended in the air. We’re going to create cameras that capture the entire jump when you stop.”
Additionally, he mentioned being offered the lead in ‘Django Unchained’ before the role went to Jamie Foxx.