Men In Black Director Says He Lied To Get Will Smith Cast

It’s been nearly 20 years since Men In Black made its debut, and the sci-fi franchise is already considered a classic by many. The alien-centric series thrilled fans as it followed government agents who helped protect the world from all things extraterrestrial. However, it seems like Will Smith wouldn’t have landed the role of Agent J if it weren’t for director Barry Sonnenfeld.

According to a new report by The Huffington Post, Men In Black was leaning towards hiring a star who wasn’t Will Smith. Sonnenfeld revealed the producer Steven Spielberg wanted Chris O’Donnell to play Agent J whilst others vied for Clint Eastwood to play Agent K.

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So, when push came to shove, Sonnenfeld says he lied to O’Donnell about Men In Black to give Will Smith a casting out.

“[Spielberg] told me I had to go to dinner with Chris and convince Chris to be in the movie. But I knew I wanted Will Smith, so I told Chris that I wasn’t a very good director and I didn’t think the script was very good and if he had any other options he shouldn’t do Men In Black,” the director admits. “He let it be known the next day that he was not interested.”

Fans can bet O’Donnell may not be too pleased about Sonnenfeld’s devious tactics, but the success of Men In Black just can’t be questioned. The movie earned over $600 million at the box office despite being made on a $90 million budget – and that’s not even counting the franchise’s various sequels.

There’s no telling why the higher-ups on Men In Black chose to back off their interest in Eastwood. Studio executives may have only wanted the legendary actor booked if he could play opposite of O’Donnell, but Tommy Lee Jones was able to nab the role for whatever reason. Fans will have a hard time imagining what Men In Black would have been without Smith’s snark and Jones’ uncanny ability to deadpan jokes. So, it seems like movie buffs everywhere have reason to thank Sonnenfeld for his questionable morals when it came to the movie’s casting debacle.

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As for whether Sonnenfeld thinks his cast will return for a new Men In Black movie, the director doesn’t think there is much hope. During an interview with Digital Spy, Sonnenfeld explained he felt Men In Black would have to do a reboot if it were to re-enter theaters one day. “I wish there were a fourth film,” Sonnenfeld explained before letting fans down with a gentle explanation. “I don’t think Will Smith nor I would be involved. But I love the franchise, because I developed it and created it.”

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures