Friends star reflects on dropping men in black roles: “A brutal decision”

David Schwimmer shared that he turned down the chance to star in the original black men The first film in the sci-fi series starred Will Smith as Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K and was released in 1997. At the time, Schwimmer was starring in the beloved 1990s sitcom friendsRoss Geller is playing. According to Schwimmer, He chose to turn down the role so he could focus on directing.

Time to appear on the podcast Originating with Kush Jumbo (via Indiewire), has talked about directing a film starring Schwimmer black men. According to Schwimmer, after starring in Miramax’s 1996 film PallbearerThe studio wanted him to agree to a three-picture deal for a fixed price. The actor was told that if he agreed to the deal, He would be able to direct his first film, which was Since you’re gone. As part of the deal, Schwimmer was able to cast his theater company in the film and cast the spotlight on unknown actors.

While in pre-production for Schwimmer Since you’re goneThe actor was offered black men. from black men Filming was scheduled to begin at the same time Since you’re goneSchwimmer decided to focus on management instead. Although the original intention was to release the film in theatres, Since you’re gone would later premiere on ABC in 1998. Schwimmer’s full quote on choosing to work Since you’re gone instead of black men can be found below:

We got this amazing script and we were developing it. We have started pre-production. All my best friends in the world at my theater company quit their jobs so they could be on this film over the summer, which is going to be a six-week shoot in Chicago. We are in pre-production, have hired the whole crew, everything is going and that’s when I was offered
black men
. There was a direct conflict with this. From my summer window
friends
It was four months. I had a four month break and
black men
Just when I was going to shoot this film with my company. And of course, it was an amazing opportunity. However, my relationship with the theater company and those people would probably have ended.

Although Schwimmer has no regrets about choosing to direct instead, he also shared that he feels black men May change his career, adding:

You have to follow your gut. You must follow your heart. Look, I’m really aware, maybe even more so after 20 years, [
Men in Black
] would have made me a movie star. If you look at the success of that film and that franchise, my career would have taken a very different trajectory.

What David Schwimmer’s Almost-Casting Means for Black Men

Will Smith Agent J

Schwimmer probably starred in Agent J black men. However, the character seemed quite different from when played by Smith. Smith brings a lot of himself to the roleAnd Agent J made the character his own. Throughout the film, Smith showcased his comedic style, which was similar to his other films and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Since Schwimmer and Smith have different comedic styles on the sitcom, Schwimmer’s version of Agent J may have different on-screen chemistry with Jones’ Agent K.

Our take on Schwimmer is almost Starring in Men in Black

While Schwimmer is a great actor, Smith was perfect casting as Agent Jay

Although Schwimmer could have made Agent Jay his own, it’s hard to imagine Smith not playing the role. Smith’s version of Agent J is one of the most memorable parts of the first three black men the movie His portrayal was also impressive For the animated version of Agent J Men in Black: The SeriesVoiced by Keith Diamond. Smith, however, did not appear Men in Black: InternationalThe character is featured as a tribute in a painting, along with Jones’ Agent K, further highlighting his importance to the franchise.

However, the swimmer could not attend black menHe has other memorable roles. animated Madagascar Franchise, Swimmer voiced by Mailman, the giraffe. He also showed off his dramatic acting chops in a Robert Kardashian-like role in the first season American Crime Story. But acting black menIt’s hard to imagine Schwimmer without thinking of Ross Geller.

Source: Origins with Kush Jumbo (via Indiewire)

black men

black men (MIB) is a science fiction franchise that began in 1997 with films based on Lowell Cunningham’s Marvel comic series. The franchise follows a secret organization that monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth. The series consists of four films, an animated TV series, and several video games, mixing action, humor, and sci-fi. The franchise is notable for starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, who played Agents J and K, respectively.

created by

Lowell Cunningham, Barry Sonnenfeld

First TV show

Men in Black: The Series

Latest TV Shows

Men in Black: The Series

First episode air date

October 11, 1997

TV Show(s)

Men in Black: The Series

character(s)

Agent J, Agent K, Agent O, Agent H, Agent M, Z, Frank the Pug, Edgar the Bug, Boris the Animal, Serlina

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