Will Smith on Playing James West in Wild Wild West: Horses, Hats, and Breaking Type

Embracing the James West Persona

• 🤠 Will Smith discusses his role as James West in the 1999 film, noting the character's macho, action-oriented nature, contrasting with Artemis Gordon.
• 👖 He aimed to match Robert Conrad's intensity by wearing tight-fitting pants, mirroring the original actor's stunt work and dedication.
• 🐎 Learning to ride a horse was a key part of his preparation, spending six weeks in Santa Fe riding to and from set to become comfortable on horseback.

The Power of Wardrobe and Performance

• 🎩 Smith emphasizes the importance of the hat and its slant in defining a cowboy's persona, stating it's crucial for embodying the character.
• ✨ He notes how wearing the character's wardrobe instantly helps him feel the part, prompting a more upright posture and confident demeanor.

Unconventional Casting and Breaking Type

• 🎬 Director Barry Sonnenfeld's quirky sense of humor and unconventional vision led him to cast Smith as James West, despite the obvious racial difference from Robert Conrad.
• 💡 Smith highlights that comedy offers more room to break type and reimagine traditional roles compared to dramatic pieces.
• 🎭 He believes the industry types casts too much, often making safe rather than good choices, and hopes for more opportunities for actors to take on diverse roles.