Will Smith’s many arenas of success have included sci-fi hits like Independence Day and the Men in Black films. But one of the most famous bits of Smith trivia is that he turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix. He admits it (and admits he regrets it), and he even made a music video just this year in the style of the Wachowskis’ classic, giving fans a glimpse at what might have been. And now he’s copping to another big sci-fi movie he passed on starring in: Christopher Nolan’s Inception.
Smith shared that fun fact while speaking to radio station KISS XTRA, which you can watch in the clip below.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said it publicly before,” a grinning Smith admitted ruefully to the interviewer. “Chris Nolan brought me Inception first and I didn’t get it … I’ve never said that out loud.”
“Now that I think about it, it’s those movies that go into those alternate realities—they don’t pitch well. But I am hurt by those two [roles I didn’t take].”
Will Smith reveals director Christopher Nolan brought him the movie “Inception” first, but he turned it down and says movies about alternate realities don’t pitch well.
(🎥 Kiss Xtra) pic.twitter.com/jwcvZfiuMG
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 15, 2025
As the Hollywood Reporter reminds us, Nolan’s first choice for Inception was Brad Pitt. The potential star had just 48 hours to decide, and when the answer didn’t come in time, the director next tried Smith. Clearly, we know what happened there, and that’s how Leonardo DiCaprio ended up getting the part.
Pitt and Smith obviously turned out all right, and all three of these guys now have Oscars. But you have to wonder: is an Inception-themed Will Smith music video going to come out next?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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