David Schwimmer Says Rejecting ‘Men in Black’ Offer Was a ‘Brutal Decision’ and It ‘Would’ve Made Me a Movie Star’; He Chose to Direct a Film Instead

Reflecting upon David Schwimmer‘s career journey, I can’t help but marvel at the fork in the road he faced back in 1997 – the choice between stardom in “Men in Black” and directing his first film. As a fellow cinephile who has spent countless hours pondering over similar dilemmas, I truly empathize with Schwimmer’s plight.


In an interview on the “Origins with Cush Jumbo” podcast, David Schwimmer acknowledged that his career trajectory would have been significantly different if he hadn’t turned down the opportunity to star in the 1997 film “Men in Black.” With his fame rapidly growing as he was several seasons into “Friends,” Schwimmer chose to direct a movie instead of accepting the role in “Men in Black.

Schwimmer explained that the decision was difficult. He had recently wrapped up his debut film with Gwyneth Paltrow, “The Pallbearer,” but the success didn’t meet expectations. The movie turned out to be a flop, yet there were high hopes for it. Miramax, the studio, wanted him to sign a three-picture deal at a fixed price. However, Schwimmer only agreed if he was allowed to direct his first film himself.

Eventually, Miramax offered him the opportunity to direct a film, and he stumbled upon the humorous script for “Since You’ve Been Gone,” which revolves around a gathering of grown-ups celebrating their 10th anniversary high school reunion.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me share my story. We’ve embarked on the preparatory phase for our production. My cherished comrades from our theatre group decided to set aside their day jobs, eager to contribute to this upcoming film during the sun-kissed summer months. The project was a six-week extravaganza unfolding in the heart of Chicago.

He explained, “The summer break I had on ‘Friends’ lasted four months. During that time, I took a break, and ‘Men in Black’ was set to start filming at the same time as I was supposed to direct a movie with my production company. Needless to say, it was a fantastic opportunity. […] But, if I had taken it, my theatre company and the relationship with all those people would likely have come to an end.

Originally intended for a theatrical debut, “Since You’ve Been Gone” ended up as a television movie on ABC in 1998. In contrast, “Men in Black” eventually cast Will Smith in the part originally proposed for Schwimmer. At that time, Smith was riding high from the success of “Independence Day,” and his role in “Men in Black” further cemented his status as a global superstar.

Schwimmer emphasized, “It’s crucial to trust your instincts and emotions. I’m fully aware that if I had taken on the ‘Men in Black’ role 20 or more years ago, my career path might have been drastically different.

Visit the “Origins with Cush Jumbo” podcast to hear Schwimmer’s full interview.

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2024-09-18 22:46