As a seasoned gamer who’s seen more movies than I’ve racked up high scores, I can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns of Hollywood’s casting couch. Ethan Hawke’s decision to pass on Independence Day is one such tale that still sends shivers down my spine.
In Hollywood history, many iconic roles were nearly played by someone other than the actor who eventually landed them. For instance, Will Smith confessed to turning down significant parts during his career. Interestingly, it was a role that Smith ultimately took on which proved most pivotal in his career, as Ethan Hawke almost starred in Independence Day. In other words, the critical part that Smith played only became available after another actor declined it first.
Hawke repeatedly shares this anecdote. It appears as though, even after all these years, he continues to vividly recall declining such a significant film role.
Why Ethan Hawke Turned Down Independence Day
After the release of one of Ethan Hawke’s top films, “Reality Bites” in 1994, there was a surge in demand for his acting skills, resulting in numerous job offers. One such offer was for the leading role in “Independence Day”. However, Hawke himself admitted that he found the script to be completely ludicrous. In an interview with Larry King in 2015, Hawke shared…
The most foolish opportunity I declined was Independence Day. They proposed I take on Will Smith’s role, but I found the movie concept incredibly cheesy. I recall laughing over some of the lines with my friends while reading the script. Check out this cringe-worthy line, “E.T., call home.” What a ridiculous line!
Later on, Hawke shared with Conan O’Brien that he actually tossed the script outside during a drive in Texas, expressing his disinterest and lack of understanding about the movie’s progression at that time.
Hawke Went To See Independence Day Opening Weekend And Realized His Mistake
After Ethan Hawke declined the offer, Will Smith stepped in to join the cast of Independence Day, marking his debut as a major movie star following his hit TV show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Later, Ethan Hawke shared with Conan O’Brien the story about going to see Independence Day with friends and witnessing the audience’s response to the film, which made him realize what a missed opportunity it was for him. He stated…
During the upcoming summer… it’s the 4th of July, and everyone seems eager to catch a movie. Let’s head over to watch Independence Day. And I thought to myself, this will be quite entertaining to see how terrible it might be. I step into the theater, naturally, it’s packed solid. There’s no room to enter. Will Smith utters “E.T. Phone Home,” and there’s a thunderous applause. They receive a standing ovation right in the middle of the film, and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Oh my goodness.’
The part in Independence Day could’ve catapulted Ethan Hawke into stardom of blockbuster movies, with Men in Black following suit the next summer. Yet if roles were reversed, there’s a chance Will Smith might have been the one cherished as a blockbuster icon instead. Nevertheless, Hawke expressed no remorse for passing on the role, acknowledging that Will Smith was undeniably the ideal choice all along, as he stated to Larry King…
It didn’t make me regret it. It made me realize he was meant to play that part.
In a fascinating twist, it’s known that Will Smith declined an iconic role that ultimately became a cultural phenomenon. After establishing himself as a staple in science fiction films, Smith was flooded with opportunities. One of the most notable roles he passed on was Neo in The Matrix, a decision he now expresses regret for.
Today, it may be difficult to envision Ethan Hawke in “Independence Day,” but his statement suggests that Will Smith was indeed the perfect fit for that role. Although Ethan Hawke’s career has been more focused on smaller films and didn’t include as many big-budget blockbusters like “Independence Day,” he did enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe before Will Smith. Interestingly, he’s never struggled to find roles in the industry. In essence, it seems that both actors have had successful careers in their own ways.
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2024-11-12 01:38