Will Smith's 'Ali' co-star says he was an 'a-hole' on the set who was maybe on steroids
Columbia Pictures
"I've done a couple of films with him and this time we didn't end up too good. I would never work with him again, he was an a-hole," Rodriguez told Rock 105.3 when he was asked what it was like to work with Smith.
Rodriguez then told a story from filming about the real person who Rodriguez was playing in the movie, Ali's cornerman Ferdie Pacheco, coming to visit the set. Rodriguez said Pacheco showed up drunk and shouted racial slurs at Smith because he was angry Andy Garcia wasn't playing him in the movie . From that moment on, Rodriguez says Smith took his frustration out on him (although he isn't exactly sure why).
"Will never looked at me the same," Rodriguez said. "He would say, 'You're a long way from anybody that likes you.'"
Joe Scarnini/Getty
Rodriguez previously worked with Smith on the 1993 Whoopi Goldberg comedy "Made In America" and felt they had a good relationship before shooting "Ali."
Rodriguez then told the DJs that "maybe the steroids he was using to beef up" were the reason why Smith acted the way he did.
"I don't know for a fact" Smith was on steroids, said Rodriguez. But he explained that was the only way Smith could look "massive" to portray Ali.
Smith has denied using steroids for the role, which garnered him an Oscar nomination.
Listen to Rodriguez's comments here:
- US-China tariff war could benefit several sectors in India while harming a few others
- Amid heatwave, Delhi's power demand soars to May's highest ever at 7,572 MW
- 84% of Indian small businesses anticipate robust growth in 2024: CPA Australia survey
- Go Digit IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- 10 breathtaking valleys to visit in India in 2024
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market