Will Smith‘s film choices span a wide range, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Whether it’s his iconic roles in Men in Black, Wild Wild West, or Suicide Squad, this exceptional star knows how to captivate audiences. From powerful biopics like King Richard to thrilling action blockbusters like Bad Boys, Smith’s charisma and acting prowess have propelled movies to great success.

Will Smith made his foray into the superhero genre by starring as Deadshot in Suicide Squad. Known for his affinity for diverse roles, Smith’s decision to join the cast of Suicide Squad came amidst a variety of movie options. Interestingly, in order to accept the role in Suicide Squad, Smith had to decline a prominent sequel that ultimately underperformed at the box office.

What made Will Smith choose Suicide Squad over this flick’s sequel he was already a part of?

The 1996 film Independence Day was a massive box office success, but director Roland Emmerich’s dream of creating a trilogy based on the franchise did not come to fruition. The first installment of the movie, with Smith as its star, achieved remarkable success, but the sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, failed to live up to expectations. One of the key factors behind its lackluster performance was the absence of Smith. Reports claim that it was the hard cash that made Smith deny the same.

As per Slash Film, Will Smith revealed that he had multiple film projects in the pipeline at the time. While playfully dismissing any rumors of a feud with Vivica A Fox, Smith explained that his decision came down to timing. Suicide Squad presented him with the opportunity to enter the superhero genre, while another film he had lined up, Concussion, was a strategic move for an Oscar bid. It is no secret that Smith made ten times more money than Ryan Reynolds was promised for Deadpool.

Seems like a good bait to drop Independence Day: Resurgence and hop on to Suicide Squad. Was Smith’s choice to star in Suicide Squad the right decision?

Did Will Smith’s choice result in fruition?

Undoubtedly, Smith was offered a substantial sum of $20 million for his role in Suicide Squad, making him the solely established star in the film apart from Batman’s cameo. The movie proved to be a box office success, grossing nearly $757 million, a stark contrast to Resurgence, which struggled to reach $389.7 million in revenue. With this achievement, Suicide Squad added to the string of hits in Smith’s illustrious career.

The Men in Black star’s expectations for a lucrative superhero franchise were not fully realized with Deadshot in Suicide Squad. Nonetheless, his decision to join the film was driven by the desire to venture into the superhero genre. Despite the fact that he could not bag one, he did star in David Ayer’s Bright, which proved to be another triumph in his career.

What do you think about Will Smith choosing Suicide Squad over Independence Day: Resurgence? Let us know in the comments below.