Archive for the 'will smith' Category

The box-office magnet is in talks to finalize follow-ups to both “Hancock” and “I Am Legend.” A Hollywood insider said, “He is ready to do both. Producers are just trying to get Charlize Theron to sign on for the ‘Hancock’ sequel.” As for “I Am Legend,” it will be more of a prequel as Smith’s character died at the end of the zombies-take-Manhattan movie. “It will be about how the disease spreads and the fall of the last great American city. It will also develop the relationship between Will’s character and his wife.” A rep for Smith said, “There have been talks about both of these projects.”

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The screams were ear-splitting when movie star Will Smith and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo entered the Lake Highlands gynasium for a surprise pep rally visit.

The pep rally was for the school’s state-bound volleyball team and bi-district champion football team, but Smith stopped by during his swing through Dallas promoting his new movie, “Seven Pounds.” The star said it was his first visit to a high school in years.

We’re not sure why Romo was tagging along, but none of the stunned students were complaining. They were too busy screaming and snapping pictures.

Smith and Romo had a little fun with the crowd while also delivering inspirational messages. Smith started out by asking Romo, “How’s the pinkie?” to much laughter. Romo shook his hand to show he was fine.

Lake Highlands Pep Rally (Tony Romo/Will Smith) Pt. 1

Then Smith told the students that when he first started on TV’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” producer Quincy Jones gave him two words of advice: fearless and relentless. He said you have to be both to achieve your goals.

Romo talked about the doubts that he, as an undrafted free agent, could even make the team, much less become starting quarterback of the Cowboys. He said what was keeping him from reaching his goals was him, not what other people were saying.

Then the two celebrities had some fun. Romo played a game with the crowd, telling them to clap at the appropriate “hike!” after he called signals - just like he would at the line of scrimmage. Of course, just like some offensive linemen, each time a portion of the crowd woudl clap too soon.

Smith mugged along as Romo barked out the signals. Then Smith did an impromptu beatbox jam, instructing the crowd to chant “Wildcats” at the appropriate time.

Just before the duo left, Smith had one more message: “Every single day of your life, I want you to make somebody better.”

They left to a rousing ovation, as the marching band played one of Smith’s R&B hits.

Although the visit was supposed to be a surprise, word had leaked that Romo and someone else would be at the pep rally. As a group of women (probably football players’ mothers) walked out of the gym, I overheard one of them say, “I thought it would be Tony and Jessica. This was even better!”

Lake Highlands Pep Rally (Tony Romo/Will Smith) Pt. 2

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Will Smith’s son, Jaden, will appear in a remake of Karate Kid, written just for him.

The 10-year-old - who’s currently a martial arts practitioner - starred with his dad in 2006’s The Pursuit of Happyness.

The script, which is still being written, will be similar to the 1984 franchise, in which a bullied kid learns to stand up for himself with the help of his quirky karate coach, according to Variety.

But instead of Hawaii, the flick will be filmed in Beijing, China, in 2009. No release date is set.

Dad Will is to serve as producer.

The presidents of Columbia Pictures told Variety they wanted to resurrect the original film series, which starred Ralph Macchio. Hilary Swank appeared in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid.

Jaden’s next sci-fi drama, The Day the Earth Stood Still, hits theaters Dec. 12. It co-stars Keanu Reaves.

Mom Jada Pinkett Smith’s animated movie, Madagascar 2, was the top earner at the box office over the weekend, raking in $63.5 million.

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Will Smith donated money to the Church of Scientology’s LEAP program in 2006.

Then came lots of talk: Will and Jada hanging out with Tom Cruise, super Scientologist, didn’t help. The Smith kids were also getting home-schooled, which put them in line with Cruise, John Travolta and others.

This year, news broke that Will had funded a school in suburban Los Angeles that used one of Scientology’s study programs. It seemed like Will and Jada were making a statement. But they didn’t actually make a statement.

Monday night, Fox News ran into Mr. and Mrs. Smith at the premiere of “Lakeview Terrace,” which Will has produced with partner James Lassiter. Jada was there, too. And here’s the thing about Will and Jada: they are immensely likable. They are incredibly gracious. Even when Will’s overzealous security guard, the size of the Cleopatra column, attempted to block and neutralize me, Smith intervened quickly.

Fox News heard he’d given a press conference to the group called Anonymous, which protests Scientology.

“Not exactly a press conference, but I did talk to them,” he said. Mind you, Will had just gone to the buffet and was carrying a plate of food. This was up at the swanky new Empire Hotel rooftop following the premiere of “Lakeview,” which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington.

So, what’s the story? Is Will a Scientologist? “I am not,” he said. The school is using one of Scientology’s teaching tools, but Will said, “You can take different parts of things you like and put them all together.”

This is similar to what he told the Anonymous people (who remain, I presume, unknown). In their recent press release, the group said, “We appreciate Will’s interest in our efforts and his openness in speaking with us directly. It shows his concern both as a parent and educator.

“Anonymous is hopeful that NVLA will take the great strides necessary to correct for the deficiencies in Scientology’s Study Tech, or abandon them altogether. We will be keeping an eye on the situation to make sure that NVLA lives up to the goals Will Smith has for it, which include keeping the Church of Scientology out of the classrooms.”

More importantly: Jada wore a short-waisted vintage dress, with the bust covered in a silver mylar sort of thing. It was very cool. She told me she was thrilled “The Women” had made $10 million in its first weekend, since it only cost $16 million. “We’re in the clear whatever happens now,” she said.

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Charlize Theron and Will Smith

Victoria Beckham and David Beckham

Vanessa Hudgens and host Miley Cyrus

Fergie and Josh Duhamel

Chace Crawford, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, and Blake Lively

Chace Crawford and Will Smith

Pen Badgely and Blake Lively

David Cook, Jordin Sparks and David Archuleta

Will Smith, Trey Smith, Jaden Smith

Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas and Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers

Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman

Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

Queen Latifah

His son, Jaden, 9, starred in “The Pursuit of Happyness” with him, and now his daughter, Willow, 7, is taking center stage opposite Abigail Breslin in the family-friendly summer flick “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” There might be rivalry between father and daughter. Will’s “Hancock” opens wide on July 2, the same day as Willow’s “Kit Kittredge.” But he’s cutting junkets for “Hancock” short tomorrow to join Willow at her premiere at the Ziegfeld.

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