$158 Million Film Sparks Rumors of Will Smith-Margot Robbie Affair, Originally Planned for Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's relationship has always been a topic of interest in the media.

However, back in the early 2010s, it was Smith and Margot Robbie who grabbed headlines for their intriguing chemistry during the filming of the movie Focus.

According to a Star magazine cover story in November 2013, the two actors were spotted together in a photo booth, taking some risqué shots.

Afterward, Smith reportedly gave Robbie a piggyback ride and headed to his trailer.

Surprisingly, the movie that brought them together and fueled affair rumors wasn't even written with them in mind as the lead roles.

The Role Switch: How Will Smith Ended Up Playing the Part Initially Intended for Ben Affleck

In the romantic drama Focus, Will Smith portrayed the character Nicky, a skilled con artist who becomes romantically involved with Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie).

The on-screen chemistry between the veteran con man and the accomplished femme fatale proved to be a winning combination, earning Focus a global box office gross of $158.8 million against a budget of approximately $50 million.

Despite their remarkable performances, neither Smith nor Robbie were the first choices for their respective roles in the film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

Originally, Ben Affleck was lined up to play the charismatic thief, with Kristen Stewart set to portray the character who would challenge his plans.

However, Affleck had to step down from the project due to scheduling conflicts.

He explained his decision at the NBR awards, stating, “I'm doing this movie called ‘Live By Night' and I'm trying to meet this schedule… so that I can have it released at the right time.

And basically I haven't gotten enough writing done; it became clear that if I took that job — it was in Buenos Aires for three months — I'd have to miss the deadline.

I had to choose between getting the movie out when I wanted to or doing that movie.

Reluctantly I chose the latter but I love those guys, I love Kristen.

I was really excited to work with her.

I think the movie is going to be fabulous.

I'm sure they'll find a great guy for it.”

Following Affleck's departure, Kristen Stewart quietly left the project as well.

Interestingly, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were initially envisioned by Ficarra and Requa when they wrote the script, but both actors were unavailable.

Margot Robbie's Take on Kissing Will Smith in Focus

Ultimately, Robbie and Smith were brought on board for the film and delivered outstanding performances, including a kissing scene.

Robbie even shared her thoughts on what it was like to kiss her co-star.

“He's got this really lovely breath spray, it tastes like Christmas.

It's like he's just eaten a candy cane,” she revealed to E!.

Meanwhile, Smith admitted that when his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, found out he would be starring alongside the young and attractive actress, she encouraged him to get in shape.