Will Smith is forging ahead with a sequel to his hit 2005 rom-com "Hitch," but original director Andy Tennant is not in the picture.
Tennant, known for steering the first film with Smith as the smooth dating consultant Alex "Hitch" Hitchens, recently expressed surprise after learning about the sequel, revealing he wasn't invited to participate.
"I pitched a sequel idea that I thought was great, but it seems that Will is working on a 'Hitch' sequel without me," Tennant shared with Business Insider. "I just found out about it three months ago. I had a solid concept for a sequel and was in talks with a Sony executive when I learned about Will's production company moving forward. That's showbiz for you."
Despite being left out of the loop, Tennant remains gracious towards the former Fresh Prince, mentioning they haven't been in contact since the original movie's release almost 20 years ago.
"After the movie wrapped, my association with Will ended. That chapter closed then and there. We haven't been in touch since," Tennant explained.
Looking back at the challenges faced during the making of the first film, Tennant disclosed how Smith came close to bailing on the project just days before filming commenced.
"Will considered pulling out three days before production started. He wanted to pause and refine things. It was chaotic," Tennant recounted.
Speaking about the movie's development, Tennant revealed the clash of creative visions between him and Smith, with the latter advocating for storylines that Tennant was not entirely in sync with.
"We had our disagreements," Tennant admitted. "The film I envisioned and the one Will had in mind were both different from the final product we collaborated on. It was a tug-of-war. Jada [Pinkett Smith] played a pivotal role, supporting some of my instincts. During pre-production, I pushed back against some rather outlandish ideas."
While specifics on the sequel are elusive, Smith's active involvement hints at a fresh take on the cherished romantic comedy for fans to anticipate.