The man who took the cinema beyond its boundaries of interstellar space, Christopher Nolan, is one of the most respected and influential filmmakers of our era. Likewise, Will Smith is one of the best actors in terms of acting prowess. However, the two have never worked on a project together. And the reason could be the actor’s rejection to work on a Nolan project that went on to become a huge box-office hit.

The visionary director’s latest venture in 2023, Oppenheimer, opened to resounding success receiving glowing reviews and breaking box office records. It has now piqued the interest of several stars who are now making a beeline to work with Nolan. However, not all A-list actors are enthusiastic about collaborating with Nolan, as some have declined his offers in the past, like Will Smith.

Will Smith denied working with Christopher Nolan on Inception

Inception is a movie that explores the concept of entering and manipulating the dreams of individuals. The protagonist, Dom Cobb, is a thief who extracts secrets from the subconscious minds of his targets. The film has received praise for its unique storyline, intricate plot, and impressive visual effects. Interestingly, director Christopher Nolan initially approached Will Smith for the lead role but for undisclosed reasons, the actor declined to take on the part. The mind-bending and critically acclaimed movie went on to gross over $800 million dollars at the box office and catapulted Nolan into one of the greatest directors of all time.

Several reasons could be attributed to Smith not taking up the coveted part. However, one plausible explanation could be that the Men In Black actor was simply not ready. Nolan’s movie has a keen approach to practical filmmaking and involves dedicated effort from his entire team. The director is very strict on limiting the use of CGI and opting for practical effects.

In such a case, Smith would have had to dedicate months of his time to Nolan’s project, which he might have refused. Whatever the case may have been, Smith should have simply followed the filmmaker’s words: “Don’t try to understand it. Just feel it.”

However, as soon as Smith turned down the role, the director had another perfect choice in mind. Undoubtedly, he succeeded, and so did the actor.

A decision that paved the way for critical success for Leonardo DiCaprio

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Will Smith’s rejection didn’t discourage Christopher Nolan from searching for an actor for his ambitious project. He then approached Leonardo DiCaprio, who found the script intriguing and agreed to take on the role of Cobb. This decision turned out to be one of a lifetime, as DiCaprio delivered an outstanding performance that received critical acclaim and praise from fans.

DiCaprio depicted Cobb’s emotions and motivations with subtlety and depth, allowing the audience to deeply connect with his journey. Additionally, he effortlessly handled the action sequences and dream sequences, showcasing his ability to adapt across genres. DiCaprio’s performance in Inception was truly remarkable. He also garnered nominations and awards for this role, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, in a Motion Picture–Drama.

Do you think Will Smith made a mistake in not choosing Inception? Let us know in the comments below.