Will Smith's Career: Spielberg's Advice, The Matrix, and Sci-Fi Domination

Will Smith is a global superstar, known for his incredible acting career! But even the biggest stars need a little guidance. One story reveals a key moment from the actor's history and one of the greatest pieces of Advice ever received.

Smith And Spielberg: An Unlikely Pair

Will Smith and Steven Spielberg are some of Hollywood's biggest names, so it's only natural that they have a great relationship!

While Spielberg is known for being one of the greatest directors. He's equally great at helping to launch some unforgettable stars. One of the moments that highlights this came as Smith was on the rise and about to become super well-known.

Also Read: Men in Black: Will Smith's Farting Incident Causes Set Evacuation

Will Smith's Best Roles:

Will Smith is known for so many fantastic roles!

He is unforgettable as the dad who went through it all in "The Pursuit of Happyness."
He also charmed us all with the romantic comedy "Hitch."
Even the amazing action sequences from the "Bad Boys" series

But, one role stands out among the many achievements Will Smith had: his debut in Men in Black which might just be his most famous. It was one that completely transformed his image. It's not a secret to see why this pairing between him and Tommy Lee Jones is unforgettable and also completely memorable!

Also Read: Epic Approach Used in Bad Boys 4 Action Scene Filming Revealed: Will Smith

Spielberg's Advice:

A chance meeting gave Smith one of the best roles of his life! What's not widely discussed though is that he almost turned down the part in Men in Black which came about as he was given an opportunity in 1996. Just after playing Captain Hiller in Independence Day (another big, famous science fiction movie).

It turns out, Smith, a rising star wasn't sure that it would work! His biggest hesitation? The worry that he might end up getting labeled as "an alien guy." That is why it appears that he hesitated!

Enter Steven Spielberg. He gives some serious insight and encouragement which was such a pivotal piece of advice. Spielberg basically told him to "turn off the thinking" as he wanted to share his own great, amazing wisdom that would have completely transformed Smith's career and give him the part!

What made it such a powerful move? Spielberg was producing Men in Black. Getting this blessing, which came about in such a quick turn! So Smith's response, without hesitation meant a new chapter! Spielberg went above and beyond, too, sending a personal helicopter just to give his amazing thoughts to Will Smith about playing the part.

Also Read: Will Smith discusses the dog Abbey, from I Am Legend, who he almost adopted.

The Matrix: Missed Opportunity

Shot Of Will Smith In The Red carpet for 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' premiere Image

The movie world always leaves you wanting something! Just as Will Smith had a major breakthrough! What some fans might not know is that around that time he missed the biggest opportunity in the world of Movies!

In 1998, he gets a huge opportunity and gets to hear a pitch! A chance for the ultimate in iconic roles, one that Keanu Reeves took and became super famous in the sci-fi world - playing Neo in The Matrix. It was a super memorable and iconic part in an incredibly ground breaking movie!

Unfortunately for Smith he decided to reject the offer! That might be surprising as everyone was really hoping to see that! However, he described how the pitch the Wachowskis (the famous directorial team), he felt it wasn't right and as well did not think the script was going to lead to greatness!

Also Read: Following the success of "Bad Boys," Will Smith makes a comeback to Sci-Fi with New Blockbuster "Resistor."

Will Smith's Career In Sci-Fi

While Smith, really didn't want to end up being typecast in the world of science fiction! The films he's starring in often features science fiction elements! He's continued to build a career where those types of films show off just how awesome of an actor he really is! It turns out he appeared in at least nine science fiction films that spanned many decades. A span of about 22 years. Starting in 1997 with Independence Day and it continued until 2019 with Gemini Man! Yet. Will Smith had a way to truly evolve and adapt into so many incredible and different genres that showed off how flexible he really was! It allowed audiences and other fans to get to see an entirely fresh performance! It would eventually show us what kind of versatility he's really capable of! It was this amazing talent that made "King Richard" a film for which he would earn his Academy Award back in 2022!

There is so much in store! We might get to see how this special piece of Smith's history and Spielberg's involvement made this iconic career so incredibly unique! What was made clear. Was that the wisdom and mentorship given made a long lasting impact!