Independence Day script was 'so bad' actor 'threw it into traffic'

Today is July 4, the American day of celebration known as Independence Day. Although the holiday celebrates the country’s emancipation from the British Empire, in the film world it is the day Will Smith thwarted an alien invasion.

But long before Smith took on the role of the film’s hero, 20th Century Fox was eager to bring another extremely popular American star onto the project: Ethan Hawke.

WATCH INDEPENDENCE DAY ON DISNEY PLUS NOW

At the time in 1996, Hawke was a very successful actor in the film and TV industry.

He had recently released his 1994 movie Reality Bites to critical acclaim, so he was well sought after in Hollywood.

But when the script for Independence Day came across his desk, his arrogance got in the way.

Hawke recalled in 2018: “I’m the bee’s knees, right? I’m driving cross country with a friend of mine, and I got the script to Independence Day.”

He added that he was being offered the leading role in the movie before describing his younger self as a “big shot”.

SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH ETHAN HAWKE BEING INTERVIEWED BY CONAN O’BRIEN.

“There’s, like, dollar bills attached to [the script],” Hawke remembered. But there was one problem – he hated what he was reading.

He began mocking the film while driving cross-country with his friend.

“I’m reading [the script] to my buddy in the car,” he said. “I’m like: ‘Isn’t this a bad line – ‘ET phone home’ – That’s stupid.’ You know what I mean?”

Hawke eventually confessed: “And I’m going through it to the point where I literally throw it out onto the Texas highway.”

But he quickly came to regret that decision.

Hawke’s unnamed girlfriend replied: “It was really good.”

He no doubt felt even worse about his decision when he saw the box office returns for the film.

Independence Day was made on a $75 million budget but it made more than $815 million. Smith, the actor who eventually took Hawke’s character, earned a whopping $5 million.

The film wasn’t just adored by audiences, however. The critics praised the film as well.

After becoming the second-highest-grossing film ever made (at the time), it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound, while it won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

20 years later a sequel was released – Independence Day: Resurgence.

Once again, Hawke was not involved in the film’s production. And once again, it was very successful at the box office.

This time around it starred Liam Hemsworth and made $389 million at the box office.

Independence Day is available to stream on Disney Plus now.

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