Will Smith’s disappointing performance of his sci-fi blockbuster, After Earth, led to a profound introspection that reshaped his career trajectory and artistic choices. In an exclusive interview during a press tour for his film, Focus, Smith opened up about the transformative impact of this setback on his mindset and aspirations. However, years after the revelation, the Hollywood actor and comedian finally got Smith to admit the real reason for his hiatus. And surprisingly, Hart’s best fried Dwayne Johnson is the one to be blamed.

Will Smith, Kevin Hart, and Dwayne Johnson

In a 2015 interview, Smith admitted, “A thing got broken in my mind.” The underwhelming response to After Earth, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and co-starring his son Jaden, prompted him to reevaluate his approach to selecting roles. However, there was more to it.

Will Smith candidly admitted how his hiatus was related to Dwayne Johnson

During an interaction with Kevin Hart, Will Smith admitted how Dwayne Johnson’s successful film affected him. When Hart asked Smith about what exactly pushed him to take an acting hiatus before his 2015 movie Focus, the Men in Black actor said, “I saw you and The Rock whooping my a*s at the box office. And I was like “It can’t happen.” 
Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart
Unable to understand how to react to the statement, Kevin Hart said that he didn’t expect to hear that. And to this, Smith simply replied, “No that’s what happened.” Furthermore, he revealed what exactly troubled him the most during the time. He said, “And I knew you were talking about me behind my back. I could tell. I could tell.” Indeed another statement Hart did not expect to hear.

However, Hart eventually did admit that he might have said some things. And continuing with his complaints, Smith further added, “We are from Philly, it was you and me. Now, all of a sudden, every time you’re with Dwayne.” 

But unable to control their laughter during the conversation, Smith ended his complaints by highlighting that Hart has a new friend now, a new ‘bodybuilding friend’ who is probably much cooler than him.

How did Will Smith explain his acting hiatus on the release of Focus

After Earth, with a budget of $130 million, earned a modest $60 million in the US box office. However, its global success wasn’t enough to offset the disappointment, especially given Smith’s involvement as both an actor and producer. The actor explained that the initial sting from the film’s reception gradually subsided, leading to a powerful realization.
Will Smith
“I was like, oh, wow – I’m still alive. I still am me, even though the movie didn’t open at number one. Wait, I can still get hired on another movie! All of those things in my mind and my entire ‘Mr. July,’ ‘Big Willie Weekend’ ‘No. 1,’ ‘8 in a row’ – all of those things got collapsed and I realized I still was a good person.”
This moment of reckoning shattered his long-held association with being a consistent box office draw, known for his 15 years streak of hit films such as Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, and the Men in Black franchise.

Smith’s paradigm shift from goal orientation to path orientation was a pivotal turning point. He embraced the value of each moment, interaction, and creative endeavor without fixating on box office rankings. In the wake of After Earth‘s stumble, Will Smith’s journey witnessed a profound evolution in his artistic philosophy, helping him embrace uncertainty and explore uncharted creative territories.