Will Smith’s Comeback Attempt: How He Plans to Regain Movie Star Status With ‘Bad Boys 4’ and Netflix’s ‘Fast and Loose’
variety.comTatiana Siegel One year after the slap that shook the industry, Will Smith is getting ready to return to acting. While the “Men in Black” star has kept a mostly low profile in the 12 months since slapping presenter Chris Rock at last year’s Oscars ceremony, he is now prepping for his first acting gig since the incident that sparked headlines around the world and a still-simmering news cycle.
Sources say Smith is looking to reestablish his commercial bona fides and is poised to shoot Sony’s “Bad Boys 4“ and Netflix’s “Fast and Loose” back to back.
That strategy would mark a pivot from his last two movies — Warner Bros.’ “King Richard” and Apple’s “Emancipation” — which were viewed as awards-season plays rather than studio tentpoles.
Although “King Richard” drummed up moderate box-office business ($39 million worldwide), it earned less than Smith’s ultimate payday including back-end ($40 million).
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