For someone as famous, as talented and as financially reliable as Will Smith, he sure isn’t great at making decisions (his last film was 2007’s abysmal Seven Pounds). But then, Lord knows he’s got plenty of decisions to make. His IMDB shows no less than 27 projects in pre-production.
Apparently there’s two potential projects he’ll jump to next: Men in Black III (written by Tropic Thunder scribe Etan Cohen) or The City That Sailed, written by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, Lord of War), which is owned by Smith’s own production company, Overbrook Films.
Here’s the logline on the film, concerning a magician separated from his 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.” [Variety via /Film]
For obvious reasons, this writer’s praying for the latter. The biggest reason is because it wouldn’t be Men in Black III (for further deliberation for said reasoning, watch Men in Black II). But, perhaps the most important reason is Niccol’s writing The City That Sailed (plus that great title). It’s the kind of Grimm-esque fable Niccol was born to write (and hopefully direct?).
Mr. Smith, if you read The Film Stage, read this and choose wisely. Thanks.
What would you rather Smith do next? Did you like Men in Black II?