‘Hitch’ Director Says Will Smith ‘Tried to Back Out Three Days Before Shooting’ and ‘Is Developing a Sequel Without Me’: ‘I Never Heard From Him’ After 2005

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Hitch” director Andy Tennant marked the 20th anniversary of the romantic-comedy with a new Business Insider interview in which he opened up about clashing with star Will Smith.

As the filmmaker put it: “I didn’t want cheap jokes, but he didn’t trust me.” “We had our difficulties,” Tennant said of his relationship with Smith. “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together.

It was a battle. [Smith’s wife] Jada [Pinkett Smith] was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back on a lot of crazy shit that was happening.” “Hitch” starred Smith as a professional date doctor who helps teach men how to impress women, but he’s shocked to discover that his usual tricks and advice don’t work on a columnist (Eva Mendes) he falls hard for.

The supporting cast included Kevin James and Amber Valletta. “Hitch” was a critical favorite and grossed $371.6 million worldwide to become the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2005.