Will Smith's Epic Set Fart Shuts Down Men in Black Filming for Hours, Says Director
It turns out Will Smith didn’t just save the world from aliens in Men in Black—he also left his co-stars and crew gasping for air! According to a hilarious behind-the-scenes story recently shared by the film’s director, the Men in Black set once had to be evacuated for three hours due to an epic fart from Smith that left everyone scrambling for fresh air.
Barry Sonnenfeld, director of the beloved 1997 sci-fi film, revealed the unforgettable incident during a recent interview, laughing as he recounted how Smith’s unintentional “set-clearing” moment became legendary. “Will let out a fart so bad that we had to stop filming. Everyone on set had to leave,” Sonnenfeld shared. “I’m not kidding—people were covering their noses and rushing for the exits. We couldn’t shoot anything for three hours.”
As the story goes, the actor, who’s known for his charismatic humor both on and off-screen, had everyone in fits of laughter once the initial shock of his noxious release subsided. But before the crew could continue filming, they needed to “clear the air”—literally.
Sonnenfeld joked that Smith’s gas was so potent it could have “wiped out an alien invasion faster than his Neuralyzer” from the film. Even though Men in Black featured some intense action and alien-chasing scenes, nothing could compare to the chaos Will’s fart caused that day.
Despite the unexpected interruption, Smith’s charm and humor kept the set lighthearted, with the cast and crew still able to laugh about the incident decades later. “It’s one of those moments you never forget,” Sonnenfeld added, “It’s become part of the movie’s folklore now.”
The Men in Black series remains one of Smith’s most iconic roles, and this story is just another reason why he’s so beloved in Hollywood—his ability to bring laughter, even in the most unexpected (and smelly) ways, has kept him a fan favorite for years.
Fans of both the actor and the film have reacted to the revelation with amusement, loving the fact that Smith’s comedic timing extends beyond his on-screen performances. With all the high-octane action and alien antics in Men in Black, who knew one of the funniest moments would take place behind the scenes?
Smith himself has yet to comment on the story, but it’s safe to assume he’s laughing right along with the rest of us. After all, not many people can say their fart shut down a movie set for three hours!
