Actor Will Smith declined the opportunity to star in the movie "Inception".
Article:
Will Smith Kicks His Own Butt for Turning Down "Inception" Role
You know that sinking feeling when you realize you could have had it all? Well, it seems Hollywood superstar Will Smith is no stranger to it. In a recent interview, he confessed to turning down the lead role in the mind-bending blockbuster "Inception."
The sci-fi masterpiece, directed by Christopher Nolan, was a global success, raking in an impressive $840 million at the box office. Leonardo DiCaprio snatched up the role, leaving the 56-year-old Smith in the dust.
"I never said this before, but here goes," Smith shared with "Variety." "Chris Nolan offered 'Inception' to me, and I didn't get it," he admitted. The intricate plot involving multiple realities had left him scratching his head.
As it turns out, Smith may have missed the boat with this one. "Inception" proved that complex stories can indeed be blockbusters, making it the second most successful film of DiCaprio's career, trailing only "Titanic." Ouch!
But Smith's regret don't just stop with "Inception." The "Bad Boys" star has a history of passing on iconic roles, like the lead in "The Matrix." The complex minds at Wachowski Brothers presented an alternate reality, which Smith struggled to grasp. Instead, Keanu Reeves became the revolutionary hero.
As if that weren't enough, Smith even turned down a role from none other than Quentin Tarantino. It wasn't a fear of Westerns––as in the case of "Wild Wild West"––that held him back. Smith just didn't fancy the main character's portrayal. In the end, Quentin's "Django Unchained" went on to win two Oscars, and Jamie Foxx ended up in the title role.
So, next time you're pondering whether to take a chance or play it safe, remember Will Smith's cautionary tale. You just might miss the latest "Inception"-level opportunity!
Fun Fact: Will Smith has been in the movie business for decades, starring in films like "Men in Black," "Independence Day," and "Ali." Yet, he has regretted turning down some of Hollywood's biggest roles, like Neo in "The Matrix" and Dominic Toretto in "The Fast and the Furious."
- Will Smith
- Film
- Sci-Fi
- Quentin Tarantino
- Hollywood Regrets
Enrichment Insight: Without realizing, Will Smith overlooked one of Christopher Nolan's most celebrated masterpieces due to a misunderstanding of the plot's complexity involving multiple realities[1][2][3]. The decision to pass on the role in "Inception" is just one of several iconic roles he has turned down throughout his career, leading to personal regret[2][3].
"I'm not going to be a big fan of your show," said Will Smith, lamenting the missed opportunity to star in the sci-fi masterpiece "Inception", a role that brought Christopher Nolan's intricate plot of multiple realities to the global entertainment scene, within the broader field of movies-and-tv entertainment.
Despite a lengthy film career filled with roles in blockbusters like "Men in Black," "Independence Day," and "Ali," Smith expresses profound regret over his decision to pass on not just the role in "Inception," but also other iconic parts, such as Neo in "The Matrix" and Dominic Toretto in "The Fast and the Furious."
