According to The Messenger, in a turn of events, Will Smith found himself at the front door of Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, marking an unexpected chapter in the making of the hit 2005 romantic comedy, Hitch.
While Eva Mendes played Smith’s love interest in the film, it was his co-star Kevin James who shared the most memorable on-screen kiss. Directed by Andy Tennant, Hitch follows Smith’s character, Alex Hitchens, a “date doctor” guiding individuals like the awkward Albert Brennaman (James) in their quest for love.
A pivotal scene in the movie involves Hitch helping Albert prepare for his first kiss. To practice, Hitch roleplays as his date and instructs Albert to walk him home. Selecting a random house for the exercise, they approach the front door, and Hitch imparts the “90/10 method” for a successful kiss – the man initiates 90 percent of the approach and lets the date close the remaining 10 percent.
Director Andy Tennant shared insights into the behind-the-scenes magic, revealing that Will Smith, enamored with the West Village location, suggested expanding the scene beyond its initial scope. However, lacking a permit for a new sequence, Smith and Tennant embarked on a unique journey, going door-to-door in search of a homeowner willing to permit the impromptu shoot.
In a delightful twist of fate, the chosen door belonged to none other than Sarah Jessica Parker. Without hesitation, Parker granted permission for them to use her stoop for a scene that hadn’t been written yet. As Tennant recounted the encounter, he shared the surreal experience of knocking on Parker’s door, and her opening it with a surprised expression, leading to the realization that they were at the home she shared with Matthew Broderick.
This delightful anecdote highlights the spontaneity and unpredictability that can occur in the filmmaking process, especially in a bustling city like New York, where the line between fiction and reality can blur in the most unexpected ways.
