Will Smith Says He Turned Down Lead Role in ‘Inception’ Because He ‘Didn’t Get It'

Will Smith confirmed a major movie role he turned down—a career move he still regrets to this day.

During a recent interview with UK radio station Kiss, the Oscar-winning actor said that Christopher Nolan initially approached him to star in Inception, the 2010 sci-fi blockbuster that would go on to become one of the director's most acclaimed works.

"I don't think I've ever said it publicly before, and I'm going to say it now because we're opening up to one another," Smith said. "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 one of those movies that go into alternate realities – they don't pitch well."

Although Smith said he wasn't fully sold on the concept at the time, reports from around the film's release suggest Nolan had initially approached Brad Pitt, giving him a strict 48-hour window to accept. After Pitt passed, Nolan turned to Smith before ultimately landing on Leonardo DiCaprio, who led the ensemble cast to box-office success and critical acclaim.

The missed opportunity may have been more than just a weak pitch. Nolan was working with a tight window between The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, which were released in 2008 and 2012, respectively, and likely needed a quick commitment. Meanwhile, Smith had taken a notable hiatus from acting between 2008 and 2012.

This isn't the first iconic sci-fi role Smith passed on. He also famously turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix, a decision he's publicly acknowledged with regret. That role, of course, went to Keanu Reeves, while Smith starred in the critically panned Wild Wild West instead.