At first, Lewis was not supposed to have auditioned as the producers originally wanted A-list stars to have portrayed the four leads. According to Lewis, "I came in to this film at first to coach the players in the authentic accents, but then I was asked to do a screen test -- so here I am." He later said in another interview, " I was helping them cast the movie." At the time, Lewis had been participating in play which was viewed by a casting Director for Cool Runnings. Liking his performance, the casting Director later called Lewis and said, "Hey, we're working on this movie about the Jamaican bobsled team and we want to make sure these guys have a good Jamaican accent. Can you do a good Jamaican accent?" Lewis agreed to audition and on November 1992, he won what became his most recognized role, Junior Bevil.