Jada Pinkett Smith, the American actress, and wife of Hollywood superstar Will Smith once revealed that she had no interest in working alongside her husband in a movie.

However, in 2001, she put aside her reluctance after director Michael Mann convinced her to play the role of Smith’s wife in the biographical sports drama film Ali, which was based on the life of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.

The film starred Will Smith in the lead role and also featured Jon Voight, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

The idea of casting Jada alongside her husband was initially proposed by Mann and was met with resistance from Jada as she did not want to be seen as playing herself and Will Smith’s wife on-screen.

Nevertheless, it was Mann’s persistence that eventually convinced Jada to take on the role.

In an interview with People Magazine, Jada revealed that Mann was adamant about casting her as Sonji Roi, Ali’s first wife, despite her initial reluctance.

Mann reportedly told Jada, “You’re not going to tell me no.

You’re going to do this role.”

Eventually, Jada relented, trusting Mann’s vision and took on the role.

Jada had reservations about taking the role because she felt that it would not be convincing enough for audiences to see her and Will as a couple on-screen.

She believed that it would take viewers out of the movie experience and that they would see Will and Jada rather than Ali and Sonji.

However, with Mann’s direction and guidance, Jada’s performance was well received by both critics and audiences alike.

Ali proved to be a significant film for Will Smith, cementing his position as a leading actor in Hollywood.

The film grossed $87.6 million at the box office, making it a commercial and critical success.

The film earned Will Smith an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, further solidifying his position as a Hollywood A-lister.

Will Smith’s rise to fame in Hollywood has been nothing short of remarkable.

He started out as a rapper and musician before transitioning into acting with his breakout role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Despite initial reluctance and challenges, Smith went on to become one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, earning critical acclaim for his performances in films like Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Men in Black.

Although Will Smith’s career has been filled with ups and downs, he has remained a beloved figure in Hollywood.

However, his reputation took a hit in 2022 when he was involved in an Oscar Slapgate scandal that caused controversy and backlash.

The biopic Ali remains available for streaming on platforms like Netflix and Vudu.

It stands as a testament to the incredible careers of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, both of whom have become icons in their own right.