Los Angeles, June 16
Star Will Smith took everyone by surprise by sharing that he turned down the lead role of filmmaker Christopher Nolan‘s “Inception” because he didn’t “understand the plot”.
Smith shared the anecdote during a recent interview with radio station Kiss Xtra (via HuffPost). Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio ended up headlining the cerebral action thriller instead, reports.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said it publicly but I am going to say it because we are opening up to one another,” Smith said.
He added: “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, too.”
Nolan’s blockbuster opened in theaters and went on to gross $839 million at the worldwide box office.
Sources revealed at the time that Brad Pitt was actually Nolan’s first choice but he did not commit to the project. Smith was up next, now revealing he didn’t understand the plot. DiCaprio signed on after and ended up with one of his biggest hit movies.