Loyalty. That's why David Schwimmer turned down Will Smith's role in 'Men In Black'

Friends star David Schwimmer has revealed was originally offered the role of Will Smith in Men In Black but he turned it down.

The 49-year-old actor said he declined the opportunity because it was just a simple case of bad timing and loyalty, reported Digital Spy.

"At the time, Ross, was directing his first film and wanted to cast his entire theatre company, which was made up of his old friends. So, that was my goal... To bring everyone up with me, to give everyone a shot. And I did it. And the next year it was set to go into production in Chicago. And it was called Dog Water now it's called Since You've Been Gone. But I shot my first film and the entire theatre company is in it. I told everyone in the theatre company, 'You're all cast, here are your roles, don't take any other jobs for this six-week period," he said.

Schwimmer said all his cast turned down other opportunities because of his first film and then after a month before its production started he got a call from Men In Black and unfortunately he rejected the offer due to that.

He explained, "These are my closest friends in the world, this is their first shot at a movie, my first shot at directing. I can't push (the film back) because I've gotta go back to work on Friends in the fall."