It seems like an age has gone by since the last time a Will Smith film brought home the bacon. The actor is still one of Hollywood's biggest stars, but it's as though he doesn't fit the bill for big studio films anymore. Could it be that 'The Fresh Prince' has lost his keen sense of smell for box-office successes?
One of Smith's latest failures has been 'After Earth', a film which cost $130 million to produce, yet only earned $60 million stateside (the $180million from other countries made up for its shortcomings). Following the disappointing economic response to the film, any plans for a franchise went out of the window, even though Smith and his team at Overbrook Entertainment were very hopeful.
According to THR, who have published an extract from 'The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies by Ben Fritz', Smith created a 294 page bible about a "transmedia universe" based on 'After Earth'.
"Overbrook's not-too-modest pitch document detailed plans for not only the movie and its sequel but also a television show, an animated series, webisodes, a video game, consumer products, theme park attractions, comic books, an 'in-school education program in partnership with NASA' and 'cologne, perfume, toiletries, etc'. Fans would become so engaged, the pitch document advised, 'it is also essential to create a stand-alone AE-branded Social Network'."
Rising from the ashes
Despite the decline of their careers, M. Night Shyamalan and Will Smith are back on the right track. The actor was last seen in Netflix's 'Bright', which not only earned Smith a hefty pay-cheque but a sequel. Shyamalan has continued with successful budget films like 'Split', and he is currently working on a sequel to 'Unbreakable'.
