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After his acting debut withThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,Will Smith sought more opportunities in the world of cinema, and following movies likeSix Degrees of SeparationandBad Boys, he took on the role of Captain Hiller in Roland Emmerich’s 1996 blockbusterIndependence Day.The sci-fi film following an alien attack on Earth was a huge hit at the time, grossing over $817 million at the box office.
Among the rest of the cast of the film, Will Smith was also commended for bringing Captain Steven Hiller to life. And the actor later shared how Harrison Ford notably influenced his approach towards the character.
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Harrison Ford Influenced Will Smith’s Character inIndependence Day
The 1996 movieIndependence Dayhas been one of the highest-grossing films ofWill Smith. Roland Emmerich’s film not only allowed him to showcase his range as an actor, but its huge success also established him as a major box-office draw.
The actor portrayed the role of a Marine pilot, Captain Steven Hiller, who leads Earth’s defense against extraterrestrial invaders. And it is still credited to be one of his best on-screen performances. And the actor has shared how he was able to deliver such an exceptional performance on-screen.
As perIMDb, theMen in Blackstar once revealed that he drew inspiration for Captain Steven Hiller from his favorite action star,Harrison Ford, especially from his iconicStar Warscharacter, Han Solo. Smith has shared his appreciation for theStar Warsfranchise and that he has been a fan since the very first movie.
“I was probably 10 years old when Star Wars came out, and I have never been smashed like that in a movie theater,”he shared in aninterview. He has shared that he wanted to have a similar impact on his audience and wanted them to experience the same awe and excitement he felt during that iconic cinematic moment.
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Will Smith Reflects onStar WarsInfluence on Him
Hollywood star Will Smith shared his profound admiration for the cultural phenomenon ofStar Wars,emphasizing the lasting impact it had on him growing up. The actor revealed during an interview withColliderthat growing up,Star Warswas the movie that left him amazed.
“Star Wars was the movie, when I was growing up, where I was absolutely stunned. After Star Wars ended, I couldn’t believe that they could make me feel like that, with a story and with these characters.”
He also shared that he has been chasing the magic of two iconic pieces of entertainment, George Lucas’Star Warsand Michael Jackson’sThriller. He also revealed that these are some of the things that have inspired him to create something that resonates with audiences in the same profound way he felt while experiencing these masterpieces.
Independence Dayis available on Prime Video.
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Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
