Did Will Smith Cause a ‘Men in Black’ Evacuation With a ‘So Bad’ Fart? 

In a recent appearance on the ‘Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa’ podcast, Barry Sonnenfeld, the director behind the iconic 1997 film ‘Men in Black’, shared a hilarious and surprising anecdote involving Will Smith. As the conversation coincided with the release of Sonnenfeld's new book, ‘Best Possible Place’, ‘Worst Possible Time’, he recounted a little-known incident that showcased Smith’s unintentional comedic side.

During a pivotal scene in the film where Smith, portraying Agent J, and his co-star Tommy Lee Jones, as Agent K, were filmed inside a pod that was hermetically sealed, an unexpected situation unfolded. Sonnenfeld explained that to achieve the desired high-speed shot, the actors needed to be securely locked inside the vehicle, a setup that would soon lead to an amusing turn of events.

As the cameras rolled, Smith suddenly interrupted the filming with apologies. “Oh Jesus, so sorry. 

Image Courtesy: People

"Tommy, so sorry. Baz, get the ladder,” he exclaimed. Sonnenfeld was initially puzzled by Smith’s frantic pleas for assistance. However, it soon became clear that the culprit behind the commotion was none other than Smith himself.

Sonnenfeld recounted how the director and crew rushed to bring a ladder for Smith as he attempted to exit the sealed pod. “What happened was, Will Smith is a farter,” he quipped. Despite the jovial atmosphere, being trapped in a confined space with the aftermath of Smith’s flatulence was not ideal.

Image Courtesy: People

In a humourous reflection on the incident, Sonnenfeld noted, “You don’t even want to be sitting next to him at the Disney ranch.” The situation escalated to the point where the entire stage had to be evacuated for about three hours, showcasing the light-hearted chaos that can occur on a film set.

Despite the mishap, Sonnenfeld reassured listeners of Smith's character, stating, “He’s, you know, a lovely guy. Just, he farts. Some do, some don’t.” This amusing anecdote not only highlights the camaraderie on set but also reveals the lighter side of Hollywood filmmaking.

-Sushmita Sarkar