The 90s were a great time, from blockbuster movies to music. The studios were coming up with fresh concepts and the A-listers of today were still a-listers then, but they were young and fresh-faced. They were taking risks, and we got movies like Independence Day, The Matrix, and Interview with the Vampire, to name a few. But Men in Black by Will Smith was one such movie that combined aliens with comedy.

The two main leads, Tommy Lee Jones and Will, played off each other, resulting in a great alien comedy! However, not many are aware that the actor had initially turned the role down. Smith was on his way to committing yet another huge mistake in his career, but thanks to Steven Spielberg’s phone call, that saved the day and his career for him.

Will Smith rejected Men in Black because he did not want to get typecast

A year before he was pitched Men in Black, Will Smith had delivered a hit with Independence Day. He wanted to try something else and not get typecast like the alien guy. So he turned down the role that would go on to become his crowning jewels in his long career.

However, Spielberg rang him to give him a piece of advice. He told him not to use his brain for this movie. And it turned out to be very good advice. “Do me a favor, don’t use your brain for this one. Use my brain,” Spielberg told Will. The solid advice made the actor reconsider his decision. 

The comedy was a blockbuster upon release and one of the biggest hits of that year. The movie spawned three more sequels. There was an attempt to reboot the much-loved original back in 2019 with Chris Hemsworth in the lead. However, it didn’t see the success the original did. 

The Suicide Squad actor is starring in a sequel of his other hit movie; I Am Legend 2. But he is also bringing the superstar of today, Michael B Jordan, to boost the talent involved with the project.

Did you like Will’s Men in Black?