David Schwimmer has had a successful career, but the “Friends” actor admitted that he once turned down a major role that would have made him a movie star.
Schwimmer said he turned down the opportunity to star in “Men in Black” during the Sept. 17 episode. “The Origin of Cush Jumbo” Podcast.
While the famous actor doesn't seem to regret turning down the role, he does admit that “my career would have taken a completely different trajectory” if he had appeared in the blockbuster film. Schwimmer called it a “brutal decision” and explained the interesting reason why he was forced to turn down such a big opportunity.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 10: David Schwimmer attends the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball 2021 on December 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Beder/Getty Images via iHeartRadio)
Schwimmer denied that his hectic filming schedule for “Friends” was the cause.
“I had just finished filming my first movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, 'The Pallbearer,' and I had high hopes, but they just didn't happen,” Schwimmer joked.
“It was a flop in some ways, but hopes were high and a studio called Miramax was trying to get me to sign a three-movie deal for a fixed price, so I said I'd do it if I was going to direct my first movie,” he said on the podcast.
After months of negotiations, Schwimmer said he agreed to do three more movies “if he would let me direct the whole troupe in the first one,” 1998's “Since You've Been Gone.”
The famous actor said that although there was pressure, he had high expectations at the time.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 8, 2017: Actor David Schwimmer attends the Rape Foundation's Annual Brunch in Los Angeles, California on October 8, 2017. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
“These are all unknown actors and I was basically going to make them famous, and let people discover the talent of this incredible theatre company,” he explained.
“We found a great script and we were developing it. We started pre-production. All my best friends from my theatre company quit their jobs for the summer to be on this movie. The movie was going to be shot in Chicago for six weeks,” he said.
Schwimmer said production on his directorial debut overlapped with the shooting schedule of Men in Black. He acknowledged he doesn't know “if I made the right choice,” but said he is a firm believer that “you have to follow your gut, your heart” when making decisions.
“We were in pre-production, we had all our crew hired and everything was going great, when we got offered Men in Black,” he said.
“Obviously, it was a great opportunity, but my relationship with my theater company and those guys probably would have ended,” he said. “I don't think it would have ever recovered.” (Related article: 'No fake face': Supermodel turns her back on career at 27)
“Look, I really do know, 20 years from now, maybe more. [Men in Black] “I could have been a movie star,” he added.
