David Schwimmer shares that he turned down the chance to star in the originalMen in Blackmovie. The first film in the sci-fi seriesstarred Will Smithas Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K, and was released in 1997. During that time, Schwimmer was starring in the beloved 1990s sitcomFriends, playing Ross Geller. According to Schwimmer,he chose to turn down the role so that he could focus on directing.
While appearing on the podcastOrigins with Cush Jumbo(viaIndieWire), Schwimmer talked about choosing to direct a movie over starring inMen in Black. According to Schwimmer, after starring in Miramax’s 1996 filmThe Pallbearer, the studio wanted him to agree to a three-picture deal at a fixed price. The actor was told that if he agreed to the deal,he would be able to direct his first film, which wasSince You’ve Been Gone. As part of the deal, Schwimmer was able to cast his theater company in the film, and put a spotlight on unknown actors.
While Schwimmer was in pre-production forSince You’ve Been Gone, the actor was offeredMen in Black. SinceMen in Blackwas scheduled to begin filming at the same time asSince You’ve Been Gone, Schwimmer decided to focus on directing instead. Although the original intention was to release the film in theaters,Since You’ve Been Gonewould later premiere on ABC in 1998. Schwimmer’s full quote about choosing to work onSince You’ve Been Goneinstead ofMen in Blackcan be found below:
We found this amazing script and we were developing it. We started pre-production. All my best friends in the world in my theatre company quit their jobs so they could be in this film over the summer, which was going to be a six-week shoot in Chicago. We’re in pre-production, hired the whole crew, everything’s going and that’s when I was offeredMen in Black. It was a direct conflict with this. My summer window fromFriendswas four months. I had a four-month hiatus andMen in Blackwas going to shoot exactly when I was going to direct this film with my company. And of course, it was an amazing opportunity. However, my theatre company and that relationship with all those people probably would have ended.
Although Schwimmer has no regrets about choosing to direct instead, he also shared that he does feel thatMen in Blackcould have changed his career, adding:
You have to follow your gut. You have to follow your heart. Look, I’m really aware, whatever 20 years later maybe more, [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 Men In Black
Will Smith Brought A Lot Of Himself To Agent J
Schwimmer would have most likely played Agent J inMen in Black. However, the character would have felt pretty different than he did when he was played by Smith.Smith brought a lot of himself to the role, and made the character of Agent J his own. Throughout the film, Smith showed his comedic style, which was similar to his other films andThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airsitcom. Since Schwimmer and Smith have different comedic styles, Schwimmer’s version of Agent J would likely have had a different type of on-screen chemistry with Jones' Agent K.
Our Take On Schwimmer Almost Starring In Men In Black
While Schwimmer Is A Great Actor, Smith Was Perfect Casting As Agent J
Although Schwimmer could have made Agent J his own, it’s hard to imagine the character not played by Smith. Smith’s version of Agent J is one of the most memorable parts of thefirst threeMen in Blackmovies.His portrayal was also influentialfor the animated version of Agent J inMen in Black: The Series, who was voiced by Keith Diamond. Although Smith didn’t appear inMen in Black: International, the character was shown in a painting as a tribute, along with Jones' Agent K, further highlighting his importance to the franchise.
Men in Black: Internationalinstead starred Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson as the two lead agents.
Although Schwimmer didn’t get to appear inMen in Black, he has gone on to have other memorable roles. In the animatedMadagascarfranchise, Schwimmer voices Melman, the giraffe. He’s also shown his dramatic acting in roles like Robert Kardashian in the first season ofAmerican Crime Story. However, even if he had starred inMen in Black, it’s hard to imagine Schwimmer without first thinking ofRoss Geller.
Men in Black
Men in Black(MIB) is a science fiction franchise that began with the 1997 film, based on the Marvel comic series by Lowell Cunningham. The franchise follows a secret organization that monitors extraterrestrial activity on Earth. The series includes four films, an animated TV series, and several video games, blending action, humor, and sci-fi. The franchise is notable for the performances of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, who portrayed Agents J and K, respectively.
