David Schwimmer, known for his role in 'Friends', revealed on the 'Origins with Cush Jumbo' podcast that he turned down a leading role in the 1997 blockbuster 'Men in Black' due to a scheduling conflict with his directorial debut, 'Since You've Been Gone'. Schwimmer had committed to directing the film with his theater company during his four-month hiatus from 'Friends', a decision driven by loyalty to his friends and co-founders. Despite recognizing that accepting the 'Men in Black' role could have made him a movie star and significantly altered his career trajectory, Schwimmer chose to honor his commitment to his theater company. The actor has since reflected on this 'brutal decision', acknowledging the substantial impact it had on his career.