Will Smith is revisiting his wild side! To mark the 26th anniversary of the Wild Wild West film, the actor posted a cheeky photo on Instagram that quickly grabbed attention.
In the post, Smith, 56, is seen in a still from the 1999 movie, clad in nothing but a strategically placed cowboy hat, a scene that has become iconic for many fans of the film.
“Wild Wild West came out 26 years ago today—sorry, this is the only photo I could find,” Smith captioned the NSFW shot, adding a playful touch to the nostalgic moment.
Fans React to Smith’s Cheeky Post
As expected, fans took to the comments with plenty of love and humor. One fan remarked, “My favorite scene. Explanation not needed,” while another shared, “You were one of my early childhood crushes.
Well done on building a career that truly had and still has an impact. 💜✨.” Smith’s post certainly stirred up fond memories of his role in the action-comedy classic, which was part of the late ’90s pop culture landscape.
A Look Back at Wild Wild West
Released in 1999, Wild Wild West was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and was loosely based on the 1960s CBS TV series of the same name, created by Michael Garrison.
The film followed two secret service agents, played by Will Smith and Kevin Kline, as they worked to protect President Ulysses S. Grant from unpredictable threats in the American frontier.
While Wild Wild West wasn’t a huge critical success, it has certainly lived on in pop culture, with fans remembering it for its unique blend of Western and steampunk elements. Smith’s portrayal of Jim West became iconic, though he himself has had mixed feelings about the film over the years.
Will Smith’s Feelings on Wild Wild West
In a 2021 interview with GQ, Will Smith opened up about his feelings towards the film, revealing that he considers Wild Wild West to be one of his worst films. When asked about his best and worst roles, Smith shared that he believed his best films were a tie between Men in Black and The Pursuit of Happyness.
However, when it came to his worst film, Smith admitted, “**I don’t know, Wild Wild West is a thorn in my side. To see myself in chaps… I don’t like it,” he said with a laugh, expressing his discomfort with the film’s iconic costume choices.
Turning Down The Matrix
Interestingly, Smith also revealed that the choice to star in Wild Wild West came at a time when he was offered the role of Neo in the blockbuster film The Matrix. At the time, Smith turned down the role, which went on to become one of the most successful and influential films in cinematic history.
Keanu Reeves ended up taking on the role of Neo, while Smith starred in the Western action-comedy, which, in hindsight, is often considered a major career-defining moment for Reeves.
Will Smith’s nostalgic and humorous post about Wild Wild West’s 26th anniversary has fans reminiscing about the film and its unforgettable moments.
Despite his mixed feelings about the film, the post serves as a fun reminder of how far Smith’s career has come since his time in the Wild West. It’s a testament to his ability to laugh at his past work and embrace the impact it still has on pop culture.
