Chris O' Donnell Was Almost Agent J In MEN IN BLACK

If Steven Spielberg had his way, Men In Black would've been a very different movie. As perfect as he was in the role, Will Smith was not the first option with the part producer despite director Barry Sonnenfield wanting him for the role. Instead, Spielberg wanted Chris O' Donnell in the role, and the director was sent to woo him into the part over dinner. Knowing it was on him to talk O' Donnell out of it Sonnenfield detailed his strategy in a recent interview (via Slashfilm):

[Spielberg] told me I had to go to dinner with Chris and convince Chris to be in the movie. But I knew I wanted Will Smith, so I told Chris that I wasn’t a very good director and I didn’t think the script was very good and if he had any other options he shouldn’t do Men in Black. He let it be known the next day that he was not interested.

Smith also declined the role, but after some persuasion from his wife Jada Pinkett eventually signed on. So if Sonnenfield was a pushover we would've had Chris O' Donnell and Clint Eastwood teaming up for a radically different Men In Black! I can't imagine that film being as big of a success, what about you? In fact, I can see O' Donnell doing alright in the role, but no way is Clint Eastwood putting on a better performance than Tommy Lee Jones in that scenario. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.