Will Smith Needs To Choose: Unnecessary Sequel, or Interesting Concept Piece
By TK | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (20)
Oh, Will Smith. You’re hard to defend sometimes. The thing is, I kind of like Will Smith. He’s a genuine movie star, a funny, good-looking, decently talented, marketable star who makes some highly entertaining films. Also? He makes unforgivable crap like Seven Pounds.
Really, The Onion brilliant summed him up in one perfect sentence.
Anyway, he’s a megastar these days, with a mixed bag of films in his wake. He’s got two potential projects looming, and it’s choosin’ time for the Prince Formerly Known As Fresh. Here’s the thing: One of them sounds genuinely interesting and unique. The other is wholly unnecessary, but will bring in crazy dollars at the office. Hmm…
Option 1: Men In Black III. Sheesh. Really? We’re going back there? Men in Black was actually a pretty clever, exciting flick that was elevated by Smith’s comedic timing, Tommy Lee Jones being Tommy Lee Jones, and Rip Torn. The second was like recreating a recipe with the exact same ingredients, including adding in some tasy new ones (Rosario Dawson), but then at the last minute taking a dump in the batter. Meaning it wasn’t good. But Sony wants to move forward with it, in no small part due to the fact that the first two grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. The only saving grace is that Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder, Idiocracy) has been working on the screenplay.
Option 2: The City That Sailed. Here’s a little bit o’ plot for you:
“Penned by Andrew Niccol, (it) revolves around a New York street magician who is unhappily separated from his young daughter. The girl, who moves to London, finds magic candles that make her wishes comes true, with unintended consequences: The island of Manhattan separates from the continent and floats toward England, bringing her dad ever closer.”
Actually sounds pretty cool. The script is actually owned by Smith’s poroduction company, Overbrook Films (don’t get excited — they also produced the remake of The Karate Kid), so he’s got a personal attachment to it. As I said, I kind of like the guy. So let’s hope he makes the interesting choice, not the lame, unneeded, likely-to-be-stupid choice.
(Source: Variety)
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Comments
Posted by: Hybrid1 at March 25, 2010 10:03 AM
Hmm, The City that Sailed sounds like typical indie overwrought tripe. Better stick with the tried-and-true and at least bring in some money. Either way, I won't be seeing these films.