How long was the Men in Black set evacuated due to Will Smith?

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The Set of Men in Black Was Evacuated for Approximately Three Hours Due to Will Smith's Flatulence

The production of the 1997 film Men in Black experienced a significant delay, with the set being evacuated for approximately three hours. This unusual interruption occurred during the filming of a scene involving a sealed car pod, where Will Smith's flatulence rendered the enclosed space uninhabitable for the cast and crew. Director Barry Sonnenfeld recounted the incident, detailing how the need to clear the stage and ventilate the area led to the extensive halt in production.
Will Smith's Flatulence Caused Set Evacuation

Director Barry Sonnenfeld revealed that the evacuation of the Men in Black set was a direct result of Will Smith passing gas while filming a scene. The incident took place within a hermetically sealed car pod, designed for a sequence where the vehicle travels at hyper speeds and flips over. The confined and sealed nature of the pod meant that the smell became overwhelming, necessitating the evacuation of the entire stage.
Sealed Car Pod Scene Led to the Incident

The specific scene that triggered the evacuation involved Will Smith and co-star Tommy Lee Jones inside a transforming car, which was depicted as traveling at extreme speeds and performing a flip. To achieve the visual effects for this sequence, the actors were enclosed in a pod that had to be "hermetically sealed" with locks to prevent it from opening. It was during the filming of this tightly controlled environment that Smith's flatulence occurred, leading to the immediate need for the stage to be cleared.
Director Recounted the Three-Hour Delay

Barry Sonnenfeld shared the anecdote on the podcast Let's Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa, explaining the extent of the disruption. He stated that the production had to evacuate the stage for "about three hours" to allow the area to clear. Sonnenfeld humorously noted that while Smith is a "lovely guy," his flatulence in such a confined, sealed space was too much to bear, leading to the extended production delay.

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How long was the Men in Black set evacuated due to Will Smith?

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