‘Friends’ Star David Schwimmer Seemingly Regrets Turning Down ‘Men In Black’ Role: ‘My Career Might Have Taken A Very Different Trajectory’

‘Friends’ Star David Schwimmer Seemingly Regrets Turning Down ‘Men In Black’ Role: ‘My Career Might Have Taken A Very Different Trajectory’

Would you do anything differently if you had a preview of what the outcome of your decision would be?

During a recent podcast interview, Friends star David Schwimmer candidly discussed how a scheduling conflict kept him from accepting a leading role in the Men in Black film series. As you more than likely already know, the popular science fiction franchise first kicked off in 1997 and stars Will Smith as James Edwards III (aka Agent J) and Tommy Lee Jones as Kevin Brown (aka Agent K). Follow-ups were released in 2002 and 2012 and a spin-off with a new cast dropped in 2019.

The film series is beloved by many across the globe, including David Schwimmer who almost starred as a Men in Black himself.  However, at the same time the offer for the first movie came, David Schwimmer was all set to direct 1998’s Since You’ve Been Gone. Reflecting on the big decision, the Primetime Emmy nominee said,

“So that was a brutal decision.”

He continued,

“There were high expectations of that, which didn’t come true. It was kind of a bomb. But there were high expectations and the studio, which was Miramax, wanted to lock me into a three-picture deal at a fixed price and I said I would do that if I got to direct my first movie.”

Due to the “direct conflict” of the films’ schedules, Schwimmer wasn’t able to do both projects and ultimately decided to make his directorial debut. Reflecting on the path he selected, Schwimmer said,

“Of course it was an amazing opportunity. I mean, you have to follow your gut, you have to follow your heart. And look, I mean I’m really aware — whatever, 20 years later, maybe more — that would have made me, I think, a movie star. If you look at the success of that film and that franchise, I would — my career might have taken a very different trajectory.”

Schwimmer noted that he’s not sure if he made “the right choice,” while acknowledging stepping away from the director gig would have burned many bridges.

“My theater company and that relationship with all of those people would probably have ended. I don’t think it would have recovered. I mean, those people had quit their jobs to do that movie.”

Would you have liked to see David Schwimmer star in Men In Black? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!