Did You Know Will Smith Turned Down Inception Because He Didn’t “Get It”?
Many people consider Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi masterwork Inception to be among his most well-known works. Because of Leonardo DiCaprio’s masterful portrayal of Nolan’s intricate dream world, the movie’s lead actor became viral.
Many people are unaware of this, though: Will Smith was first asked to play the lead, but he declined because, as he later acknowledged, he just didn’t “get” the movie.
Will Smith Talks About Refusing Inception
The Oscar-winning actor said in an interview with UK radio station KISS that Christopher Nolan had first given him the part in the sci-fi epic that would be released in 2010. Smith laughed and said, “That’s one of my beautiful scars,” when asked if he had also declined The Matrix.
“Since we’re opening up,” he added, “I don’t think I’ve ever said this publicly, but Chris Nolan showed me Inception first, and I just didn’t get it.” I’ve never really discussed it in public. Now that I think about it, though, I never enjoy films that explore different realms. I have trouble with them.
“Talking about this is actually kind of painful,” Smith continued, adding that the regret is still there.
Brad Pitt was also approached, in addition to Will.
The Hollywood Reporter claims that Nolan also presented Brad Pitt with the script and requested a reaction from him within 48 hours. Nolan went on to Will Smith after Pitt declined to commit. He eventually offered the part to Leonardo DiCaprio, who became the face of Inception, when that didn’t work out either.
Will Smith’s Lost Possibilities
Smith rejected other classic films in addition to this one. He gave an explanation of why he had previously rejected The Matrix in a 2019 YouTube video, stating that he simply didn’t agree with the Wachowskis’ pitch, which placed more emphasis on style than plot.
Smith also declined the lead part in Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino. In the end, Tarantino chose Jamie Foxx. Smith declined the offer because he didn’t want to film “a slavery movie about vengeance”, according to an interview with GQ magazine.
Concerning Inception
Inception, which came out in 2010, is today regarded as one of the best science-fiction films ever produced. Dom Cobb, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a master criminal who uses dreams to access people’s subconsciouses and steal important data. Cobb’s expert team in the movie also included Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
In order to implant ideas or reveal secrets, they often switch between several states of awareness, delving deeply into multi-layered dream worlds while posing the risk of becoming permanently trapped in dream limbo.