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Will Smith is embracing nostalgia — and a bit of cheeky humour — as he celebrates the 26th anniversary of 'Wild Wild West'. Recently, the Oscar-winning actor shared a bold still from the 1999 film, showing himself wearing nothing but a cowboy hat in one of the movie’s most talked-about scenes. He joked in the caption that it was the only photo he could find to mark the occasion.
Fans flooded the comments with appreciation, some calling it their favourite scene, while others praised Smith for maintaining a career that continues to inspire.
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Image Courtesy: Getty
What Was Will Smith's 'Wild Wild West' About?
Released in 1999 and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, 'Wild Wild West' was a steampunk Western adventure loosely inspired by the 1960s television series. Will Smith took on the role of the daring Captain James West, teaming up with Kevin Kline in a wild ride through the post-Civil War frontier. The duo played sharp-witted U.S. Secret Service agents on a mission to shield President Ulysses S. Grant from a truly outlandish villain.
Despite its big-budget visuals and star-studded cast, 'Wild Wild West' was met with mixed reviews and underwhelming box office returns. In a 2021 interview, Will Smith admitted the film wasn’t his proudest moment. He once described it as a personal low point in his career, humorously recalling how uncomfortable he felt wearing chaps on screen. When asked about his best and worst films, he named 'Men in Black' and 'The Pursuit of Happyness' as career highlights, while 'Wild Wild West' remained a thorn in his side.
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Image Courtesy: Getty
Adding to the story is the fact that Will Smith famously turned down the role of Neo in 'The Matrix' to take on 'Wild Wild West'. That decision, in hindsight, remains one of Hollywood’s most talked-about what-ifs, especially given the global success of 'The Matrix' with Keanu Reeves in the lead role.
Still, Smith’s ability to poke fun at himself while honouring the past shows the charm that made him a Hollywood staple for decades.
