Both Charlize Theron and Will Smith are masters of their art, showcasing their jaw-dropping talent with films across many genres. They are both amongst the highest-paid actors in the entertainment industry and why won’t they be? Their performances are so effortless that they have captured audiences across the globe.
Will Smith and Charlize Theron
Charlie Theron and Will Smith starred alongside each other in two films, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) and Hancock (2008). And while these films are completely different from each other, there is one thing in common between them – Charlize Theron getting hurt by the hands of her Will Smith. Even though the actress remembers being knocked out, she does not blame her co-star and has no ill feelings toward him.

Will Smith Knocked Out Charlize Theron

A still from The Legend of Bagger Vance

While filming The Legend of Bagger Vance, Will Smith was also simultaneously preparing for his role as the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001). In order to ace the role, Smith spent an entire year trying to understand Ali and his life. He practiced boxing for up to seven hours a day, would learn about Ali’s religion, and went through dialect training. The film was well-received by the critics but did not perform at the box office.

Along with training for Ali, Smith was also working with Charlize Theron for the first time. As reported by Female First, Theron recalled how their first time working together ended up with her getting punched in the face.
“The first time I worked with him he punched me in the face. He was training for Ali. I encouraged him to show me a couple of moves. I was completely knocked out!”
Name a more iconic first collaboration story, we’ll wait! However, Theron, a brilliant action star, was not one to hold a grudge. In fact, she was okay with getting punched by Smith anytime as she stated, “Seriously, though, I’d be happy to be punched out by Will anytime. He swore to me that it was an accident.”

Well, Theron’s wish would come true seven years later when the pair reunited on the set of Peter Berg’s Hancock.

Another Mishap between Charlize Theron and Will Smith

Will Smith and Charlize Theron in Hancock
Smith played the role of John Hancock, a superhero that possesses powers like flight, invulnerability, and super-strength. Along with these superpowers though, John is also equipped with alcohol addiction and recklessness which causes havoc wherever he goes. Well, Smith might have dived a bit too much into the character as his recklessness affected Theron in real life.

Theron once talked about how the Men in Black actor was supposed to fake a slap for the sake of a scene but it turned too real too soon. However, the co-stars still haven’t come to a conclusion about who to blame for the mishap.
“He tried to fake slap me one time, but the fake one just didn’t happen. We’re still debating this one. I think he just hit me! But Will claims I leaned into his hand and that’s how it happened. I was so shocked!”
Again, Theron holds no grudge about getting hit by the actor stating that they are just like kids. She said, “We’re just like kids, it’s so much fun. He’s not a woman beater.” We are glad the Mad Max: Fury Road actress clarified that they were just having fun and nothing was serious!

You can stream The Legend of Bagger Vance on Starz via Prime Video and Hancock is available to buy/rent on Prime Video.