Will Smith is looking to make a career comeback six months after he infamously slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Will Smith’s first post-Oscar’s slap role is being heavily rumoured, six months after the incident that sent shockwaves around the globe.
The actor, 53, is said to be being eyed to star in an adaptation of Marcus Sakey’s novel Brilliance, which he will also produce through his Westbrook Studios.
The project will be put out by Paramount Pictures and marks filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s feature directorial debut, according to Deadline.
Produced by Paramount Pictures, Brilliance has been dubbed a “passion project” for Oscar winner Smith and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, who collaborated on I, Robot, I Am Legend, and Hancock.
According to the publication, the plot focuses on character Nick Cooper, a federal agent who works for the Department of Analysis and Response and is tasked with tracking down the one percent of non-neurotypical people deemed ‘abnorms,’ or ‘Brilliants,’ who are born with special powers.
“Nick is the parent of a Brilliant daughter and is also an abnorm himself, in a ‘Blade Runner’-esque twist. He has the ability to see the future and ultimately tries to stop a civil war.”
Smith’s career has been largely on hold since slapping Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars.
The dad-of-three took home the best actor award for his role in King Richard, but the win has been marred by him striking the comedian on stage after he made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Despite Brilliance being a potential career comeback for Smith, a source told Deadline that he “hasn’t committed” to starring in the film as of yet.
