Will Smith Reveals Reason for Rejecting Role in 'INCEPTION': 'I Didn't Understand the Story'

Kapanlagi.com - Will Smith recently surprised the public after admitting that he once turned down the lead role in the film INCEPTION directed by Christopher Nolan. He revealed this in an interview with Kiss Xtra radio. Smith stated that he did not understand the concept of the story of INCEPTION when it was first offered to him, and thus decided to withdraw from the project.

The film, released in 2010, is indeed known for its complex story about overlapping dream worlds and reality. Smith admitted that films with alternative reality themes are not easy to explain in a pitch. As a result, the lead role in INCEPTION ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio, and the film achieved massive success with earnings of over US$ 839 million globally.

This admission adds to the long list of regrets Will Smith has about the major films he has turned down. Besides INCEPTION, Smith also missed the golden opportunity to star in THE MATRIX as Neo and the lead role in DJANGO UNCHAINED, which ultimately went to Jamie Foxx.

1. Rejected Role in 'THE MATRIX', Will Smith Admits He is Still Hurt

Before INCEPTION, Will Smith also turned down the role of Neo in the film THE MATRIX (1999). In a video he uploaded to YouTube in 2019, Smith explained that the rejection happened because he did not understand the explanation from the Wachowski brothers. The pitch given emphasized revolutionary filming techniques rather than the plot.

Smith even imitated their presentation style: "Imagine you jump, then you stop in the middle of the jump. Then the camera can rotate 360 degrees around you." Although he was uncertain at the time, he now admits that rejecting the role was a decision that still feels painful to this day.

2. Failed to Star in 'DJANGO UNCHAINED' Due to Different Visions

Another film that Smith turned down was DJANGO UNCHAINED by Quentin Tarantino. He admitted that he was actually very interested in the story idea, which is about a slave fighting to save his wife. However, Smith and Tarantino did not align in their creative direction. Smith wanted to make Django's story a love story, while Tarantino emphasized the revenge aspect.

Due to this difference in vision, Smith decided to step back, and the lead role was eventually played by Jamie Foxx, who successfully brought the film to the box office and received many awards.

3. Will Smith Remains Dominant in Sci-Fi Films

Despite missing out on several legendary films, Will Smith is still recognized as one of the leading actors in the sci-fi genre. He starred in a string of popular films such as INDEPENDENCE DAY, MEN IN BLACK, and I AM LEGEND. These films continue to showcase Smith's acting ability and star appeal in the eyes of global audiences.

Now, 15 years after INCEPTION was released, Smith finally speaks out about his regrets. Although it is too late to return to the films he missed, his admission serves as a reminder that even a star as big as Will Smith can make mistakes in choosing projects.

(kpl/ute)