“We didn’t have a very large budget”: Will Smith became the Devil as The Director Wanted World’s Most Charming Man as the Villain
In the majority of his films, Will Smith is noted for playing mostly good guys or heroes. He has frequently taken on roles throughout his career that highlight his charm, charisma, and aptitude for playing likable, empathetic, and frequently heroic characters.
He has enjoyed a very prosperous career in the entertainment industry, gaining notoriety after appearing in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and went on to have a great acting career with hit movies. Smith has garnered praise from critics and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, among other accolades, throughout his career.
What Prevents Will Smith From Playing a True Villain?
While not every character Will Smith has portrayed has been a hit, his popularity has largely held steady throughout his career, which has been filled with action, humor, and even drama. Smith has, however, been avoiding one kind of character for whatever reason: a villain. There is usually some redeeming feature or that prevents the character from truly deserving the title of “villain”.
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For instance, Will Smith may have played Robert Clayton Dean, a lawyer who becomes involved in a crucial government conspiracy, in Richard Matheson’s novel Enemy of the State. Although Dean is not a typical villain, he is persistently followed and puts himself in a morally grey situation as he seeks the truth. Another possibility would have been to play Deadshot in Suicide Squad. Despite his wicked past, Deadshot demonstrates honor and affection for his daughter, bringing depth to his character.
The Most Charming Man as the Devil
Will Smith played Lucifer, a villain in the 2014 film Winter’s Tale. In Winter’s Tale, Will Smith has two memorable sequences alongside Russell Crowe, and these scenes exude a captivating blend of dramatic intensity and distinct charm that is likely to make his appearance a cult classic for years to come. The dynamic between Smith and Crowe creates a thunderous and unforgettable cinematic experience. This performance deviates from his usual heroic roles and exhibits his ability to portray darker characters. Akiva Goldsman speaking about this said,
“The truth is, we didn’t have a very large budget, so I asked everyone who I’d ever worked with if they would think about doing it. And pretty much every person onscreen worked for scale or just about scale.”
After previously working with Will Smith on the scripts for I, Robot and I Am Legend, Akiva Goldsman approached Smith about playing the Devil in Winter’s Tale. Goldsman had a clear idea of the most charming man in the world playing this character, and he thought Will Smith suited the bill wonderfully. According to Goldsman, Smith’s natural charisma and charm made him the ideal match for the role.
Also Read: Every Major Role That Will Smith Rejected In His Career
Source: Showbiz cheatsheet
