When a movie is in the making, it’s not just about the script and the shots – it’s about the memories created on set that stay with the cast and crew long after the cameras stop rolling. Director Barry Sonnenfeld, known for his work on Men In Black, has a memory that he just can’t shake – the day Will Smith let one rip on set, clearing the room for a good three hours.
In a recent chat on Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa podcast (as reported by Variety), Sonnenfeld spilled the beans on this unforgettable moment. It all went down during a pivotal scene in the film where Smith and Tommy Lee Jones find themselves locked in a pod, ready to take on some alien foes.
As the cameras were about to roll, Sonnenfeld heard Smith mutter an apology to his co-star, Jones. Confused, the director watched as Jones was handed a ladder and swiftly made his way down. Turns out, Smith had let out a gas bomb that was powerful enough to clear a room, let alone a sealed pod!
“Will Smith is a farter. It’s just some people are. And you really don’t want to be inside a very small, hermetically sealed space with a Will Smith fart. You don’t even want to be sitting next to him at the Disney ranch,” Sonnenfeld shared, laughing about the incident.
While this unexpected fart tale may not have been on anyone’s prediction list for 2024, it’s certainly a story that adds a touch of humor to the behind-the-scenes chaos of movie making. And despite the funky mishap, Men In Black went on to become a blockbuster hit, spawning three more sequels.
The 1997 film not only featured Smith and Jones but also a stellar cast including Tony Shalhoub, Rip Torn, David Cross, Linda Fiorentino, and many more. With so many talented folks on board, it’s no wonder that the movie turned out to be a fan favorite. And who knows, maybe Will Smith’s fart even added a bit of extra flair to the film’s success!
