“The studio really wanted Clint Eastwood”: Will Smith’s Co-star Struggled to Feel Comfortable While Working in $1.9 Billion Worth Action Franchise

Tommy Lee Jones exudes unmatched confidence in all his projects. Yet, while assuming the role of the popular character Agent K in Men in Black, the actor found himself completely outside his comfort zone.

Despite giving a memorable performance in the film, the renowned actor and filmmaker faced hurdles in fully embracing his character, leading to some heated clashes on the set.

Tommy Lee Jones Had a Hard Time Adjusting To His Role

Known for his stern on-screen presence, Tommy Lee Jones might not immediately come to mind as a comedy lead. Yet, when director Barry Sonnenfeld got hold of the script for the 1997 sci-fi comedy, Men in Black, he was certain that Jones was the perfect fit for the role of Agent K.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld told Inverse:

“I was sent two copies because my wife and I read scripts together. We finished at the same time and I turned to her and said, ‘Tommy Lee Jones.’ And she turned to me and said, ‘Will Smith.’ The studio really wanted Clint Eastwood. It was me who asked for Tommy, and then I almost got screwed — they couldn’t hire me because Tommy had director approval. Tommy gave me approval.”

Despite delivering a remarkable performance as Agent K in the film and reprising his role in the later parts, Jones wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about taking on the role.

As per Sonnenfeld, it took a good amount of time for the renowned actor to get used to the role. In fact, the director believed that Jones never really got hold of the humorous aspects of the role. Sonnenfeld even deliberately moderated Jones’s performance to make sure he didn’t acknowledge any of Will Smith’s dialogues as jokes.

Tommy Lee Jones Wasn’t Happy With His Character

Famous for his direct manner, Tommy Lee Jones didn’t hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with the character he portrayed in the film.

Screenwriter Ed Solomon said: 

“It was my experience that if he knew it was a comedy he certainly didn’t think it was funny — and he let me know on quite a few occasions.”

Sonnenfeld said:

“Tommy didn’t think that I knew what I was doing. Very first day shooting with Tommy, he’s talking to Mikey, the multi-flippered alien in the Sonoran desert. Tommy’s line to Mikey is “That’s enough, Mikey. Put up your hands and all your flippers.” It’s only funny if Tommy doesn’t acknowledge that’s a funny line. But Tommy goes, “That’s enough, Mikey. Put up your hands – AND… ALL YOUR FLIPPERS!”

To compensate for things, Jones tried to bring his own brand of humor into the role. Per Men in Black’s production designer, Bo Welch, Jones and director Barry Sonnenfeld had some clashes on the set, with Jones intent to bring more humor into Agent K, while Sonnenfeld remained steadfast about keeping a deadpan portrayal.