In a memorable and lighthearted moment from the set of Men in Black, director Barry Sonnenfeld shared a story that gives fans a new perspective on what it was like working with superstar Will Smith during the 1997 sci-fi action-comedy. Appearing on Kelly Ripa’s Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast, Sonnenfeld recalled how a single incident—specifically a fart from Smith—led to a complete evacuation of the film’s set for a surprising three hours.
As unexpected as the situation was, the incident is now part of the behind-the-scenes lore of a movie that helped turn Smith into a global sensation. Men in Black, which co-starred the legendary Tommy Lee Jones, grossed $584 million worldwide, making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year. Coming on the heels of Independence Day, Smith’s performance in Men in Black solidified his place as a leading man in Hollywood. But as it turns out, the movie’s success didn’t come without a few bumps—or bursts—along the way.
The Infamous Fart Incident
The event in question occurred during the filming of a high-speed car chase scene, a pivotal moment in the movie where Smith’s character, Agent J, and Jones’ character, Agent K, are seen racing through the streets in a transforming vehicle. The scene required the actors to be enclosed in a specially designed pod that mimicked the futuristic car’s high-tech interiors. For safety and effect, the pod was “hermetically sealed,” meaning it was air-tight, allowing no movement or airflow inside.
“We were shooting the scene where Will and Tommy are in the car that flips over and travels at hyper speed,” Sonnenfeld explained. “To create that effect, we had them sealed inside this pod, which had locks to prevent it from opening and falling apart. It was a small space, and once you’re in, there’s no easy way out.”
Sonnenfeld continued, describing how everything seemed normal until moments after they started rolling the camera. That’s when Smith’s unexpected confession came out. “I called, ‘Roll camera,’ and that’s when I hear Will’s voice: ‘Oh Jesus, so sorry. Tommy, so sorry. Baz, get the ladder.’ I had no clue what was going on, but then I hear Tommy, who is always calm, saying, ‘That’s fine, Will. No worries. Don’t worry about it.’”
Sonnenfeld was still unaware of the source of the problem, but he knew something had to be done quickly. “I knew something had happened, but I didn’t know what. The crew rushed over with the ladder, and Tommy was already halfway out. He stuck his leg out, and as soon as we got the pod open, he raced down the stairs,” the director said.
The Cause of the Chaos
As Sonnenfeld soon discovered, the cause of the chaos wasn’t a technical failure or an actor’s injury—it was a fart. “What happened was that Will Smith is a farter,” the director explained, not hiding his amusement at the memory. “It’s just how some people are. You really don’t want to be inside a very small, sealed space with a Will Smith fart.”
He went on to explain just how bad the situation was: “Imagine being in this tiny, hermetically sealed pod with no airflow, and suddenly… well, you know. There’s nowhere for it to go. Tommy was out of there in seconds.”
Sonnenfeld humorously added, “You don’t even want to be sitting next to him at the Disney ranch, let alone locked in a sealed space.”
A Three-Hour Evacuation
What makes this story even more unbelievable is the fact that the situation was so intense that the production crew had to evacuate the stage for a whopping three hours. “We evacuated the stage for about three hours,” Sonnenfeld revealed. “That’s incredible. It was a funny moment, but yeah, we had to clear the area, and we couldn’t resume filming for quite some time.”
The director emphasized that while the incident caused a significant delay in production, there were no hard feelings. “Will is a lovely guy—super professional, very kind, and just fun to work with. But, you know, some people fart. Some do, some don’t. Will does.”
Despite the disruption, the filming continued smoothly after the set was cleared, and there were no further incidents of this kind. In fact, the story has since become a cherished part of the Men in Black legacy, offering fans a rare glimpse into the more human side of big-budget filmmaking.
The Success of Men in Black and Will Smith’s Rise to Stardom
This anecdote comes from a movie that had a huge impact not only on the sci-fi genre but also on Smith’s career. Released in 1997, Men in Black was a massive success at the box office, becoming one of the year’s top-grossing films and launching a beloved franchise. Smith’s charismatic portrayal of Agent J, a smooth-talking, street-smart NYPD officer recruited into a secret organization monitoring extraterrestrial life on Earth, was a key part of the movie’s appeal.
Combined with his role in the previous year’s blockbuster Independence Day, Men in Black catapulted Smith to global superstardom, marking his transition from a successful rapper and TV star on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to a leading man in major Hollywood films.
Director Barry Sonnenfeld, who was at the helm of the first Men in Black movie, would go on to direct two sequels, Men in Black II in 2002 and Men in Black 3 in 2012. While neither sequel reached the same box office heights as the original, they both reinforced the franchise’s enduring popularity.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones: A Legendary On-Screen Duo
One of the reasons Men in Black was so successful, beyond its special effects and clever alien-related plotlines, was the undeniable chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The two actors’ contrasting personalities made for a dynamic pairing on screen. Smith’s energetic, fast-talking style perfectly complemented Jones’ gruff, no-nonsense demeanor.
Even during the behind-the-scenes moments, like the infamous fart incident, their mutual respect and good-natured professionalism shined through. Sonnenfeld noted that despite the mishap, Jones was as calm and gracious as ever, handling the situation with humor and patience.
“He’s a true professional,” Sonnenfeld said of Jones. “The way he reacted to what happened, you’d think this kind of thing happens every day.”
A Funny Footnote in Men in Black History
While Men in Black is remembered for its groundbreaking visual effects, entertaining storyline, and unforgettable performances, stories like this one remind fans that behind every great movie are countless funny, bizarre, and human moments that make the filmmaking process truly unique.
For Will Smith, whose career has spanned everything from iconic action movies to critically acclaimed dramas, this incident is just another example of the actor’s ability to laugh at himself and keep things light on set.
As Sonnenfeld concluded on the podcast, “Will’s a great guy. Just, maybe don’t get sealed in a small space with him.”
The Information is Collected from Variety and Yahoo.
