In 1995, Will Smith burst onto the Hollywood scene as the endearing goofball through Bad Boys. The following year, he continued to captivate audiences with yet another blockbuster action comedy, Independence Day, and solidified his status as a Tinseltown favorite. Now, he harbored aspirations of embracing more profound roles alongside seasoned legends like Gene Hackman. At that point, Hackman, renowned for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman, was a legendary veteran.

When destiny presented Smith with an opportunity to take on a leading role alongside him a couple of years later, the actor eagerly seized the moment and gifted the world this thriller. 

The captivating collaboration of Will Smith and Gene Hackman

The father of action flicks like Top Gun and Déjà Vu, Tony Scott, took on a rare political thriller, Enemy of the State in 1998. According to IMDB, he was set on casting Gene Hackman in the flick alongside Smith. However, Hackman was reluctant to take on the project until Scott personally convinced him over a phone call. This, in turn, motivated Smith to accept it, despite certain reservations.

Since the 55-year-old was high off of the success of Independence Day, he could have asked for a paycheck that made it worth his time. But he chose to do it at a bargain price just for the chance to work with the esteemed 2-time Academy Award winner, Hackman. Besides these two accolades, Hackman also had two BAFTA and Golden Globe awards to his name by then, which speak for his acting prowess. 

By landing Smith at a nominal amount, the flick was able to rake in large profits while leaving audiences impressed. 

How did Enemy of the State fare at the box office? 

With a medium-sized budget of $90 million, Enemy of the State managed to pull in an impressive $250.8 million worth of worldwide sales. In the critics department, it was received mostly positively. It also carries a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.5 stars on IMDb, which was quite a feat considering the politically sensitive nature of the film. 

The film was added to Netflix’s platform last year alongside other popular works of Smith’s. Its narrative unfolds as a high-stakes mystery when a lawyer (Smith) unwittingly receives evidence of a political assassination and then becomes a target himself. It follows themes of privacy and power through government conspiracies about unethical surveillance. For those who love a Big Brother-esque dystopian thriller, this classic tale is a must-watch. 

What do you think would have happened if Hackman hadn’t said yes to Enemy of the State? Share your thoughts in the comments.