Will Smith reveals how Steven Spielberg convinced him to star in ‘Men In Black’

nme.com:

Will Smith has revealed how Steven Spielberg convinced him to star in Men In Black, despite the actor having reservations about the project.Smith starred in 1997 sci-fi action comedy opposite Tommy Lee Jones.

The pair portrayed Agent K and Agent J, respectively, who were tasked with investigating a series of alien-related incidents on Earth.The film — which spawned two sequels and a spin-off with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson — was a critical and commercial success, but Smith needed convincing before taking on the role.During a recent appearance on Kevin Hart’s Peacock TV show Hart To Heart, the actor said he was hesitant to star in the film right after Independence Day — another sci-fi film about aliens.“I kind of understood Men in Black a little bit but I didn’t want to make Men in Black,” Smith said. “That was the next year after Independence Day.

So I didn’t want to make two alien movies back to back.”However, Smith revealed that Spielberg contacted him directly and sent a helicopter so they could speak face-to-face. “I was in New York.

It landed at his house. And, like, he had me at hello,” the actor said. “And it was the first time I ever had lemonade with carbonated water.