'David Schwimmer opted to decline a film role that could have catapulted him to stardom.'

Could David Schwimmer have become a movie star if he had not played paleontologist Ross Geller on "Friends" for 10 seasons?

Schwimmer certainly thinks so.

During an interview on the "Origins with Cush Jumbo" podcast, the 57-year-old actor revealed that he had been offered a role in the 1997 blockbuster, "Men in Black," but he ultimately turned it down. Host and actress Cush Jumbo believed that Schwimmer declined the part because of a scheduling clash with his successful TV show, but the actor denied this claim.

He explained that his decision to turn it down was not the reason, stating that it was a difficult decision. He had recently finished filming "The Pallbearer" with Gwyneth Paltrow, and there were high expectations for the film, which ultimately did not meet those expectations. He laughed as he shared this information.

"Although it was somewhat disappointing, there were high expectations, and the studio, which was Miramax, wanted to secure me for a three-picture deal at a fixed price. However, I agreed to this only if I could direct my first movie," he stated.

In 1998, Schwimmer directed and starred in the comedy film "Since You've Been Gone," which was set at a 10-year high school reunion and featured Joey Slotnick, Terri Hatcher, and Laura Flynn Boyle.

We discovered a fantastic script and were working on it. We commenced pre-production. My closest friends in the world, who are part of my theater company, left their jobs to be in this film during the summer, which was a six-week shoot in Chicago. The budget was established, the crew was hired, and everything was proceeding smoothly when I was offered the role in 'Men in Black.'

"The movie conflicted directly with my plans to direct a film with my company. I had a four-month hiatus from 'Friends' and 'Men in Black' was set to shoot at the same time. However, I knew I had to follow my gut and heart, and the opportunity to direct the film was too good to pass up. Looking back, I realize that it would have made me a movie star."

"If I had achieved the success of that film and franchise, my career would have taken a very different path. My theater company and relationships with those people would have likely ended, and I believe it would not have recovered as those individuals had left their jobs to work on the movie."

Although Jumbo assured him that he had made the right choice, he continued to express uncertainty. Similarly, a representative for Scwhimmer did not immediately respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's inquiry about his role in the movie.

"I mean you have to follow your gut. You have to follow your heart. And look - I'm really aware, whatever 20 years later, maybe more, that would of made me, I think, a movie-star." — David Schwimmer

"Men In Black" famously starred Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

The 1997 film grossed nearly $600 million internationally and had two sequels with the original cast.