Will Smith avoided movies about slavery to compete with Tom Cruise and other white actors until he saw Django Unchained.
STREET FIGHTER Teaser (2024) with Will Smith & Tom Cruise
The one-sided beef between Will Smith and Tom Cruise was indeed very real at one point. During his early years in Hollywood, Will Smith deliberately avoided dealing with heavy subjects such as slavery. But his approach began to change after he saw Django Unchained.
The film, as it did for countless people, had a profound impact on him, reshaping his views on the kinds of stories he wanted to tell about his community. Smith eventually chose to delve into the subject by starring in Emancipation, the 2022 film.
For much of his career, Will Smith focused on portraying black characters in a positive, empowering light, deliberately avoiding roles that delved into the deep struggles and injustices facing his community. He sought roles that placed him on equal footing with his white counterparts. (His one-sided rivalry with Tom Cruise is a story for another day.)
