The Tumultuous Journey Behind ‘Hitch’: Director Reveals Creative Clashes with Will Smith
The seemingly effortless romantic comedy ‘Hitch’ belied a behind-the-scenes battle between its director, Andy Tennant, and star, Will Smith. Tennant, fresh off his triumph with ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, divulges the creative disagreements that plagued the pre-production phase of ‘Hitch’.
Clashing Visions and Artistic Tensions
Tennant’s desire to avoid cheap humor met with resistance from Smith, who harbored doubts about the script. "I didn’t want cheap jokes, but he didn’t trust me," Tennant confided. "It was a battle."
The tension escalated to the point where Smith nearly halted production three days before the scheduled start date. "Will tried to back out," Tennant admits. "He wanted to shut down and work on it some more."
Tennant also faced an uphill battle with Smith’s skepticism towards a key scene. "Will started saying stuff about the 90 and 10: a man goes 90% of the way, and the woman goes 10% on a first kiss," Tennant recalls. "So, we messed with that for a bit, and then someone came up with the keys jingling."
Unplanned Brilliance and Impromptu Scenes
Despite the creative clashes, Tennant credits the improvisational talents of Kevin James for bringing an iconic moment to life. "Kevin James told him, ‘It’s really funny. It’s going to be a good scene.’ And, thank God for Kevin, because he got Will to shoot it."
Another unscripted scene emerged when the crew serendipitously ended up at Sarah Jessica Parker’s doorstep. "We started riffing on some stuff. It was all just an idea," Tennant explains.
Convincing Smith to Embrace the Plot
Smith’s reluctance extended to the Ellis Island scene, where Eva Mendes’ character learns about her immigrant ancestor. "Will didn’t want to do it because he said Black people didn’t come through Ellis Island," Tennant reveals.
Tennant’s persistence paid off when James Lassiter, Smith’s friend and producing partner, discovered that his own family had arrived via Ellis Island.
The Stunt That Conquered Fear
Despite his inability to swim, Smith gamely performed a water rescue after accidentally kicking Mendes off her jet ski. "The other thing everyone was worried about was that Will can’t swim," Tennant says. "And Will was like, ‘No, just give me the life vest.’"
Post-Production Disappointment and an Unforgettable Premiere
Despite the on-set strife, Tennant was disappointed when Smith failed to acknowledge him after filming wrapped. "I think he felt the same way I did. He thought this movie is a disaster," he reveals.
However, the test screening in Las Vegas proved their doubts unfounded. "The movie ends, and the audience has completely embraced the movie," Tennant recalls. "People were cheering when the movie ended."
A Trip of a Lifetime and a Hollywood Twist
Although their collaboration ended, Tennant cherishes the memories of promoting the film worldwide with Smith. "Even the hard times he’d always say, ‘Wait until the junket. We’re gonna go around the world with this.’"
Tennant also had an idea for a sequel, only to discover that Smith was developing one without him. "I just found out about it three months ago," he says.
Tennant’s candid account offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics that can shape a film’s production. Despite the challenges, ‘Hitch’ emerged as a box office success, proving that even the most unlikely collaborations can yield unforgettable results.
