According to box office figures, Will Smith is the last reliable rainmaker in Hollywood.
Of the 25 top grossing films of 2007, just four highlighted major movie stars—the lowest number in recorded history. George Clooney and Will Ferrell, both of whom have been veritable goldmines in the past, each recently released films that tanked, Leatherheads and Semi-Pro, respectively. Brad Pitt's The Assassination of Jesse James made just $4 million domestically and was in very few theaters. Indeed, supercelebrities are losing their luster. But, somehow, Smith — whose hit I Am Legend was the sixth biggest movie last year — remains a guaranteed draw.
In an industry not known for its willingness to put a lot of faith — and money — into black talent, why is Smith an exception to the rule? Are his projects that superior to those of others? (His acting sure isn't.) Why is this man unstoppable? And why has nobody yet put him on Broadway?
Interim Editor
Cord Jefferson Editorial Director
David Hauslaib Publisher
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maybe because he doesn't whore himself to the media too much, that we get sick of him?
Nobody wanna go see a movie at the box office with an actor that we see too much in tabloids.
If they put him on Broadway I think that would hurt his career, atleast it would with me. I can't stand musicals and they aren't exactly macho.
I think because he has become a power player in Hollywood executive producing alot of the movies that he is in. But they are not just any old movie, but good quality movies that everyone is interested in seeing.
I just saw the comments about his acting. He may not be Denzel, but come on his acting is not that bad and he has definitely improved since his fresh prince days.
A Broadway role for Will Smith would only add to the sexy that he already is!!! Oh, and make him an even larger presence in the entertainment industry!
Will makes Hollywood lots of money. Period.
And he should never set foot on Broadway. It's not his element.
Tho he was in the film version of the Broadway play Six Degrees of Separation and his performance was great. In an interview he once said that he decided, along with his manager, to reach the top via action/sci fi films. But he's def. got acting chops, too. Can't say that I see everything he does, but he is one of the few actors in Hollywood I respect, on and off the screen.
Yes he has tip. He really did a good job in his last movie.
Cord I notice you are writing differntly(sp). I like.
With very few exceptions, he has consistently picked movies with "Blockbuster Hit" stamped all over them as long as you throw in a big name or so.
Clooney seems to do those types in addition to serious ones that'll get him real cred as a serious actor. Don't know what the hell Leatherheads was about though.
Never considered Will Farrell that bankable really.
Brad Pitt falls into Clooney category. Just because he's traded in the hookah doesn't mean he should go THAT serious but really, we all have to be true to ourselves. Jesse James got really great reviews. He and Casey Affleck got major kudos but that's not what I want to see for $10. Oh, the one with Rinko Kikuchi and Cate Blanchett too. If I want to be stressed out, I'll turn on CNN, thank you very much.
Maybe becauyse Smith is the safest , non-sexually threatening black man on the planet
Will is sexy as hell, and he knows it. He consistantly picks the right roles, and while he may not be the black Pacino, he does deliver the goods when required.
Maybe Will hasn't put himself on Broadway….it seems he's found his formula on providing a huge return of investment with his film career and is focusing on that.
Good for him. Also the pay is better in film.
Clooney and Pitt don't make money in the box office because the studios dont promote good movies. They don't make "Blockbuster" films because they aren't challenged at all, if anything they make them because they are funny, i.e. Ocean 11,12,13. Will Smith makes blockbuster films because he's comfortable doing them and he knows hes good at them and he has fun. I think the main reason why he's the only one bringing in the money because the studios go to him for these movies because really he's the only one that can turn a crappy script into gold. I love I-Robot but if they hired someone else, like Clooney for instance, it wouldn't have the same feel to it. And I wonder if Clooney had some sort debt to pay…Not to say Smith doesn't like to be challenged, blockbusters work for him and he works for blockbusters.
Sergio, what does that mean? What black actor in Hollywood (who works regularly) is threatening or not safe?! Denzel, Don Cheadle, Cheiwetel Ejiofor, Jamie Foxx, Idris Elba?….find me that guy.
You can't really explain these things. For Will he does have an amazing amount of charm and charisma and appeals to young and old people alike(which I think is his biggest asset). I really just think the timing is right. He is making all the right moves at the right time. And let's not forget movies like "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "Hitch" didn't neccessarily have "Blockbuster" written on them. Maybe "hit" but blockbuster is altogether different which just further shows his clout with the audiences.