Will Smith bravely faced the fiery wings of Hot Ones, revealing some intriguing insights while battling intense heat! The beloved Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star joined Sean Evans for a journey through his storied career, including his latest role in Bad Boys 4.
A Changing Definition of a Hit
Discussing what makes a hit movie today as compared to earlier years, Will emphasized the challenge now: The definition of a hit is still pretty much the same. Essentially it’s just harder to get one…there’s definitely a higher demand for a certain type of film for people to leave their homes.
The Punch that Hurt the Most
Recalling filming Ali, Smith shared the pain of capturing authenticity, often pushed by director Michael Mann: Michael Mann wouldn’t allow music made after the date we were shooting to be played on set. That’s how wild he is about capturing authenticity.
He wasn’t shy about mentioning the hardest hit he took: Michael Bentt in ‘Ali’…he caught me with a right hand on top of my head…that was like the hardest I ever been hit on a movie set.
A Blast from Hip Hop Past
The show also allowed us to delve into his early music roots with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Recalling their triumphs, it was clear their bond remains strong. I’ll never forget standing behind the decks, listening to Jeff cut up records and it just felt like, okay we’ve made it. We did it.
The Canine Co-Star from ‘I Am Legend’
Diving into his fondness for Abbey, the dog from I Am Legend, Will disclosed the bond they shared on set. I tried to adopt Abbey…It was like Abbey spoke English…it was really amazing to watch her talent.
Sneaker Love on Fresh Prince Set
A nostalgic throwback brought back memories of Will’s relationship with Jordan sneakers during his time on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He explained how exclusive access to Jordan prototypes added an exciting flair to life then: Jordan and Nike wanted me to have their shoes before anybody had them…having a hit TV show at that time was just great.
Pinnacle Movies in Smith’s Career
Finally, no Hot Ones episode would be complete without reminiscing over career-defining films. Will named some of his top picks: If I had to put four of them in a time capsule it would be The Pursuit of Happyness, the first Men In Black, I Am Legend, and probably King Richard.
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