David Schwimmer has been involved in some memorable projects over the years, but there was one film role that he admitted could have made him an even bigger name. In the mid-1990s, Friends star offered lead role in new sci-fi action comedy Men in BlackBut he ultimately chose to pass on the role, a decision he still questions to this day.
It wasn't Schwimmer's Friends But there was a filming schedule that got in the way. In an interview on September 16, Origins with Cush Jumbo In his podcast, he talked about how his career progressed during that time and how he navigated the industry during his early years on screen.
“[It] It was a brutal decision. I had just finished filming. Pallbearer“It was my first movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, and there were high expectations that didn't happen,” he said. “It was kind of a flop, but there were high expectations, and a studio called Miramax wanted to sign me to a three-picture deal at a fixed price, and I said I'd do it if I directed my first movie. So after months of negotiations, they finally said I'd do three more movies for them, but the first one would be me directing my entire theater company. All these unknown actors, but I was basically going to put them on the map. I was going to make sure everyone discovered the talent of this amazing company.”
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Initially, the opportunity to lead a group of young actors was a dream come true for Schwimmer.
“We came up with this great script and we were developing it. We started pre-production. All my best friends in the world in my theater community quit their jobs to be in this movie, which was going to be a six-week shoot in Chicago over the summer,” he said at the time. MIB The call came.
“We're in pre-production, we've hired the whole team, everything is going well and I've been offered the part. Men in Black. This was in direct contradiction to this. My summer window Friends It was four months. I took a four-month break and Men in Black “I was just about to start shooting when I was going to direct this movie with my company,” he explained. “Of course, it was a great opportunity.” However, in the end, he didn't want to leave these hard-working people behind.
“You have to follow your instincts. You have to follow your heart,” he said. “Look, I really realize, 20 years later, maybe more, [Men in Black] “It would have made me a movie star. If you look at the success of that movie and that series, my career would have taken a very different trajectory.”
“But my relationship with my theater company and all those people would probably be over,” he concluded. “I don't know if it would ever get better. I don't think it would. I mean, those people had quit their jobs to make that movie. So… I don't know if I made the right choice.”
Starring Men in Black The role eventually went to Will Smith, but the Oscar winner also nearly turned it down. Schwimmer became a household name thanks to the film's success. Friends and future roles such as attorney Robert Kardashian The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.