The actor, 53, told the November issue of British GQ that he went for more mainstream roles like Independence Day, Hitch and Aladdin so he could 'depict black excellence alongside my white counterparts,' said the star.

'I wanted to play roles that you would give to Tom Cruise,' added the husband of Jada Pinkett Smith.

The actor, 53, told the November issue of British GQ that he went for more mainstream roles like Independence Day, Hitch and Aladdin so he could 'depict black excellence alongside my white counterparts,' said the star.

The November issue of British GQ is available via digital download and on newsstands on Friday October 1. .

A list man: 'I wanted to play roles that you would give to Tom Cruise,' added the husband of Jada Pinkett Smith.

And Smith brought up Cruise again in his GQ interview when he said he is happy to be there for his friends no matter what the hour. .

A good pal: And he brought up Cruise again in his GQ interview when he said he is happy to be there for his friends no matter what the hour.

He added that it is a 'difficult area to discuss,' but he feels like the simplicity of Black Lives Matter was perfect

His lovely lady: Will has been wed to Jada Pinkett Smith since 1997

'Anybody who tries to debate Black Lives Matter looks ridiculous

… From a standpoint of getting it done, "Black Lives Matter" gets it done

As far as social media, which his children Willow and Jaden excel at, Smith said: 'It's such a powerful way for me to keep in touch with people and, creatively, what the next thing is about to be

See the full feature in the November issue of British GQ available via digital download and on newsstands Friday October 1