Actor David Schwimmer recently discussed a pivotal career choice he made in the late 1990s. He had to pick between taking on a major role in the sci-fi blockbuster “Men in Black” or pursuing his dream of becoming a director. Schwimmer chose to direct his first film instead of starring alongside Will Smith. In hindsight, Schwimmer questions if that was the right call.
At the time, Schwimmer had just finished his role in the 1996 comedy “The Pallbearer.” He was ready to direct “Since You’ve Been Gone,” a movie featuring performers from his Chicago theater company. However, Schwimmer was also offered the starring role in “Men in Black,” which was set to start filming during his break from “Friends.”
This presented Schwimmer with a difficult decision. All of his theater friends had quit their jobs to act in “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Schwimmer felt committed to making his directorial debut with them. “You have to follow your gut, you have to follow your heart,” Schwimmer said on the podcast “Origins with Cush Jumbo.”
So Schwimmer turned down “Men in Black” to direct “Since You’ve Been Gone” instead. In hindsight, he questions if that was the right move. “Men in Black” became a massive hit in 1997, launching Will Smith to superstardom. The franchise has now made over $2.6 billion total.
“My career might have taken a very different trajectory,” Schwimmer admitted. He believes starring in the blockbuster franchise could have made him a big movie star, rather than focusing on television and indie films. While Schwimmer has no regrets about staying true to his theater friends, he does wonder what could have been playing a lead role in “Men in Black.”
The anecdote offers a unique perspective into the challenging decisions actors face when navigating different career paths in Hollywood. Even over twenty years later, Schwimmer still reflects on the lasting impact that one role could have had on his career in the entertainment industry.
