Will Smith explains why he rejected major Christopher Nolan film

Will Smith made a shocking admission about passing on a blockbuster role that would’ve altered his career.

Smith, who already has a long list of iconic films that he has turned down in his career such as The Matrix and Django Unchained, shared that he was also offered a role in Nolan’s hit Inception.

During his appearance at the radio station Kiss Xtra via Huffpost, the Aladdin star said, "I don’t think I’ve ever said it publicly but I am going to say it because we are opening up to one another."

He continued, "Chris Nolan brought me Inception first and I didn’t get it. I’ve never said that out loud. Now that I think about it, it’s those movies that go into those alternate realities they don’t pitch well. But I am hurt by those, too."

The potential involvement of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor in Inception was previously revealed by The Hollywood Reporter months after the Oscar-winning film was released.

Sources revealed at that time that Brad Pitt was actually Nolan’s first choice but he did not commit to the project initially. Hence, Smith was considered for the lead role, however he also turned down the role.

DiCaprio then signed on afterwards and ended up with one of his biggest hit movies.

As of now, the Grammy winner is set to embark on his first-ever headlining tour, Based on a True Story Tour, which will kick Off on June 25 at the Mawazine Music Festival in Rabat, Morocco.

Meanwhile, Nolan is busy directing another possible blockbuster The Odyssey, which is set to release on July 17, 2026.