In 1996, the cinematic world witnessed a seismic eruption in Independence Day, an action-packed extravaganza that honored the triumph of humanity over an unrelenting alien invader—Will Smith’s portrayal of Capt. Steven Hiller in the film would cement his place in Hollywood history as one of the greatest action stars of all time.

However, there were two unsung heroes who had a significant impact on Smith’s performance despite the film’s spectacular special effects and over-the-top plot points. Will Smith’s character is much more interesting than your standard action hero because of the influence of action movie legends like Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford.

Will Smith Praises Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford

Will Smith
An endearing blend of charisma, talent, and modest good looks marked will Smith’s rise to movie stardom. After establishing himself as a comedic genius in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith’s foray into action with Bad Boys set off the chain reaction that would propel his career to new heights.

But Independence Day catapulted him into the realm of megahit directors—Smith’s portrayal of Capt. Steven Hiller shone as a symbol of humanity’s resilience as the invading aliens destroyed iconic landmarks worldwide.

However, Bruce Willis and Harrison Ford wove an intricate web of inspiration beneath all the exciting pyrotechnics. The American actor’s meteoric rise came after a period in which Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis dominated the action genre.

Will Smith

Thinking about his role, Will Smith appreciates how Willis and Ford “showed me how to play this character.”

“I think the two people that I really paid attention to, the two actors that really showed me how to play this character, was Bruce Willis first of all because he plays heroes that don’t want to be heroes. The last thing Bruce Willis wants to do is run over that glass. If he could do anything to get out of having to run over that glass, he would. And Harrison Ford kind of plays the characters that way.”

Ford’s portrayal of the complex hero resounded with the Hollywood celeb’s performance, even though he is inextricably linked to such iconic roles as Indiana Jones and Han Solo. While heroic, the Indiana Jones actor’s protagonists were driven more by duty than greed.

The Unforeseen Impact on Box Office

Independence Day
While Richard Kimble in The Fugitive was driven by his belief in his innocence, Indiana Jones was first and foremost an archaeologist. The Emancipation star aimed to imbue Hiller with genuine bravery by having him respond heroically to the challenges he faced.

Smith’s portrayal hit home because he was a realistic hero, a human presence amid extraordinary mayhem. The actor’s ultimate goal was to emulate the realism of both Bruce Willis’ and Harrison Ford’s performances, resulting in a synergistic blend that took Independence Day to new heights.

“That was the one thing that I really concentrated on is: don’t be the guy that walks out with the guns in the middle and people are shooting and standing up. I want to be the guy that’s ‘Yo, man, why y’all shooting at me?’ The guy that does heroic things out of necessity, not out of an enjoyment for it.”

When Independence Day was released in theaters, it captivated viewers with its spectacular action sequences and the complex humanity of its characters. Beneath the explosive exterior of the film, a complex emotional story was crafted, suggesting how the reluctant heroism was inspired by the legacies of Willis and Ford. Together, these elements helped the film earn an unprecedented $817 million worldwide box office.