Will Smith Turned Down 'Inception' For This Reason

LOADINGERROR LOADINGWill Smith revealed that he turned down an acting role in “Inception.”The actor said writer and director Chris Nolan pitched the 2010 science fiction film to him, but Smith “didn’t get it.”“I’ve never said that out loud,” Smith said Friday on radio station KISS XTRA.“And now that I think about it, it’s those movies that go into those alternate realities, they don’t pitch well.”Advertisement It’s unclear what role Smith was up for, but Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately took the lead role in the film.

Smith also said he turned down “The Matrix,” calling turning it down one of his “beautiful scars.”“I’m hurt by those two,” Smith said about “The Matrix” and “Inception.”Earlier this year, Smith posted a cryptic video on Instagram.“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” text on the Instagram video reads.“He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time.

But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”20 Years Of Free JournalismYour Support Fuels Our MissionYour Support Fuels Our MissionFor two decades, HuffPost has brought you the exclusives, scoops and hot takes on the news all your friends are talking about.Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 — we can't do this without you.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way.

We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times.Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever.

We hope you will join us once again.We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.Thank you again for your support along the way.We’re truly grateful for rea...