"Men In Black" Producers Wanted Chris O'Donnell, Not Will Smith, For Film

BY Erika Marie 2.7K Views
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Will Smith, Chris O'Donnell
Director Barry Sonnenfeld admitted that he undersold the film order to get O'Donnell to pass on it. He also revealed how Michael Jackson got a cameo.

Hollywood loves celebrating an anniversary, and this year, Men in Black turns 25. The classic franchise starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as secret agents in a clandestine government organization that hides contact, and cohabitation, with aliens on earth. Audiences worldwide enjoyed the one-of-a-kind comedy films, and to acknowledge the 25th anniversary, Men in Black director Barry Sonnenfeld is revealing some unknown insights about the development and creation of the movie.

To begin, Smith's role almost went to Chris O'Donnell, however, Sonnenfeld was sold on the Fresh Prince icon after his wife suggested he would be good for the part. Sonnenfeld suggested that producers were more interested in O'Donnell, so, he agreed to take a meeting. That's when he undersold the film so O'Donnell wouldn't be interested.

Neilson Barnard / Stringer / Getty Images

"I met with Chris and he had concerns about the script and had another movie offer. So I told him, 'Yeah, we might never fix this script and I don't think I know how to direct this movie.' So he passed on the movie the next day," Sonnenfeld told Insider

Elsewhere, Sonnenfeld spoke about Michael Jackson's brief cameo in Men in Black II, adding that the King of Pop reached out to him for the bit part.

Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images

"I wanted to have people up there that made you go, 'Yeah, he could be an alien,'" said Sonnenfeld, but that isn't what ended up happening on the big screen. "Well, I was going to make him an alien and he said, 'No, I want to wear the 'Men in Black' suit.' So we figured out how to do that and it worked out. He was lovely."

Check out Jackson's cameo below and let us know your favorite Men in Black moment.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.