[Idiom] "Smack of Commercialism"

[Q8Cat]

Muhammad Ali expressed interest in playing the role of Bilal, but producer Moustapha Akkad refused, stating that such casting "would smack of commercialism."

What did Akkad mean by "would smack of commercialism"?
Did he mean that Muhammad Ali wants to do this role because he wants profit?

Or does it mean that the viewers might think that those chose Muhammad Ali (being a famous boxer) in the film to make money taking advantage of his fame?

Or does it mean something else that I did not understand?

Thanks.

 

[IHIVG]

I think your second example may be a bit closer to the core, but they both could be sound. Anyway, I think you're in the right territory and it really depends on what one makes out of this statement.

 

[euncu]

***neither a teacher nor a native-speaker***

The producer doesn't want a cast of celebrities that will probably cloud the message of the movie.In other words, such a cast ould distract people's attention off the message of the movie. Of course, this is true only if he is interested in conveying the message to people than acquiring a commercial success.

 

[Q8Cat]

Thanks IHIVG & euncu.

That what I understood too, but that is very shocking, because the leading actor in the film is Anthony Quinn, who himself is much more famous than Muhammad Ali! So isn't that commercialism too?

Or did Akkad mean something else?