Will Smith is one of the most recognizable and successful actors in Hollywood. From his beginnings as a rapper to his iconic roles in blockbuster films, Smith has become a household name and an icon in the entertainment industry. Smith has delivered some of the most blockbuster movies in the entertainment industry including Men In Black, Bad Boys, King Richard, and much more. But little did people know that the Bad Boys star declined the offer to play the role of Superman in the 2006 movie, Superman Returns, which ended up going to Brandon Routh.
Will Smith
Will Smith Rejected The Role of Superman
Superman Returns is a superhero film released in 2006, directed by Bryan Singer and starred Brandon Routh as Superman/Clark Kent. Smith could have led the film by dressing in the red cape, yet the Men In Black star denied the one-in-a-million offer. The film received mixed reviews, with some praising its homage to the original Superman films, while others criticized its lack of action and slow pacing. Nonetheless, it remains a notable entry in the Superman franchise and Smith simply let this opportunity pass.
In an interview, Smith shared his reason for declining the offer to play Superman. The Pursuit of Happyness star revealed that he didn’t want to upset the white community by playing the roles that were created by keeping in mind the whites. The King Richard star had previously played the role of Captain James, in the Wild Wild West, which was also depicted by whites in past. Smith had no intention to do the same and thus decided to skip this opportunity.
“The last Superman I got offered. The script came, and I was like, ‘There is no way I’m playing Superman!’ Because I had already done Jim West [of ‘Wild Wild West’], and you can’t be messing up white people’s heroes in Hollywood! You mess up white people’s heroes in Hollywood, you’ll never work in this town again!”
Brandon Routh as Superman
Will Smith In Hancock
Will Smith has worked on several projects of different genres and has justified the character of different types. Smith later stumbled on a different project titled Hancock, to finally play a superhero character.
In the 2008 superhero comedy film Hancock, Will Smith portrays the character of John Hancock, a reluctant and flawed superhero who has a negative public image due to his drunken behavior and reckless actions. Hancock possesses superhuman strength and the ability to fly, but his powers often cause collateral damage and he is generally disliked by the public.
Hancock
Though it would have been interesting to see how Will Smith would have brought the character of Superman on-screen in his style. The fans are still satisfied to see Smith play the role of a superhero in the Hancock. Hancock is available on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
