John Leguizamo Expresses Regret for Rejecting ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Over Major Pay Disparity with Jolie and Pitt
¡Hola, mi gente! Today, let’s chat about the talented and ever-charismatic John Leguizamo and some of the surprising twists in his vibrant acting career. Spoiler alert: even seasoned stars have moments of "qué hubiera pasado si…", and our amigo John is no exception!
First up, who could forget the chic and sharp-witted Nigel from The Devil Wears Prada? Well, believe it or not, that could have been John! Si, you heard right! He recently shared with Business Insider that turning down Stanley Tucci’s role was one of those choices that made him wonder, “¿Pero por qué?” The same goes for missing out on being a part of the voice cast in Happy Feet, the adorable penguin extravaganza. Seems like John wasn’t ready for another chilly adventure after his Ice Age success. ¡Ay, qué locura!
But the plot thickens, amigos. Remember the spicy action-packed Mr. & Mrs. Smith? John was almost there too, rubbing shoulders with none other than Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Pero, aquí viene el drama – he felt the pay offer was a slap in the face. John was looking at a standard paycheck while Brangelina were pocketing millions. “I felt dissed,” he confessed, reflecting on the equity and respect issues that muchas veces hit close to home for actors of color. As John put it, “You’re so used to being dissed that you think you’re being dissed.” A sentiment too familiar for many, verdad?
Let's not olvidar his almost-superhero moment – sí, John was nearly cast as The Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Can you imagine? Negotiations were all set, pero at the last moment, Michael Keaton swooped back into the role. Marvel tried to make it up to him with a smaller part, pero John was like, “Nuh uh,” preferring to step back rather than feel minimized. His abuela’s advice? “If they don’t want you at a party, don’t go.” ¡Bien dicho, abuela!
Fast forward, and John’s not closing the doors on future blockbuster roles. He's open to redemption, maybe as The Riddler or another iconic character that lets him shine. After all, who doesn't love a good comeback? Yet, he’s clear – it has to feel right, like a real invitation to the fiesta, not just a consolation.
Qué les parece, ¿eh? Whether it's choosing roles or standing up for respect, John Leguizamo keeps it real and relatable. His journey’s a reminder of the dilemmas and decisions que nuestros artistas enfrentan in the spotlight’s glow. So, next time you catch one of his performances, remember there’s always a backstory, maybe even a role he passed up, adding just a bit more intrigue to his vibrant career path.
For all the juicy details of this revelatory convo, be sure to check out John’s full interview on Business Insider’s website. Y no se olviden, keep supporting nuestros talentos who bring so much sabor and corazón to the big screen. ¡Hasta la próxima, compadres!
