Will Smith recently surprised fans in an interview with radio station Kiss Xtra by revealing he declined the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s Inception because he didn’t understand the film’s complex plot. Leonardo DiCaprio eventually starred in the 2010 blockbuster, which grossed $839 million worldwide.
“Chris Nolan brought me Inception first, and I didn’t get it,” Smith admitted. “Movies that go into alternate realities don’t pitch well. But I am hurt by those, too.” Smith’s missed opportunity with Inception joins a list of iconic roles he passed on, including The Matrix and Django Unchained.
Sources previously revealed that Brad Pitt was Nolan’s first choice for Inception but declined the role. After Smith, DiCaprio signed on and delivered one of his biggest hits.
Smith called turning down The Matrix “too painful to talk about.” He explained in a 2019 YouTube video that he didn’t connect with the Wachowski siblings’ pitch, which focused more on their directing style than the story. The role of Neo ultimately went to Keanu Reeves, launching a major action franchise.
Smith also turned down Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, saying in a GQ interview he “didn’t want to make a slavery film about vengeance.” He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that while the story was compelling, he and Tarantino disagreed on its creative direction. Smith wanted the film to be a love story rather than one centered on revenge.
Despite these career “blunders,” Smith remains candid about his decisions and their impact on his journey in Hollywood.
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