In order to be able to realize his own directorial project, David Schwimmer turned down the leading role in “Men in Black”. This is how he feels about it today.
David Schwimmer (57) has turned down a role in his career that would most likely have propelled his career towards Hollywood Olympus. The actor reported that he had been offered the lead role in the blockbuster “Men in Black”, which was ultimately taken over by Will Smith (55).
At the time, his series “Friends” had already been running for several years and Schwimmer was considered one of the biggest stars of the cast. At the time of the offer, however, Schwimmer wanted to realize his first directorial project. In the podcast he reports: “I had a four-month break [von ‘Friends’] and ‘Men in Black’ was supposed to be shot at the exact time when I wanted to shoot this film with my company. And of course that was a great opportunity.”
“My career would have taken a completely different course”
Instead of taking the role, Schwimmer decided to make his own film, “Since You’ve Been Gone.” It was supposed to be released in theaters, but was instead broadcast as a TV movie on ABC in 1998. And Will Smith, who took the role in “Men in Black,” became one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the world thanks to the film’s success.
In the podcast, Schwimmer sums up that you have to follow your gut and your heart. And he continues: “20 years later, maybe even more, I am very aware that [‘Men in Black’] made me a movie star.” And he continued: “If you look at the success of the film and the franchise, my career would have taken a very different course.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
