Will Smith is officially back in the Hollywood mix and is gearing up to deliver more greatness.
Paramount Pictures just locked in a game-changing first-look, multi-picture deal with Smith and his production company, Westbrook. The fresh partnership is all about launching blockbuster films with global appeal, with an eye on franchises and intellectual property-driven content.
This move comes on the heels of Paramount’s recent merger with Skydance and reflects its aggressive push to sign top-tier talent. Under the new agreement, Smith and Westbrook will develop big theatrical releases. Two projects already on deck include “Sugar Bandits,” based on Chuck Hogan’s novel “Devils in Exile,” and “Rabbit Hole,” written by “Dune” screenwriter Jon Spaihts.
“Sugar Bandits” is set in Boston and follows a former Special Forces soldier who leads a vigilante team targeting the city’s drug underworld. Details about “Rabbit Hole” remain under wraps, but it’s being crafted as a potential star vehicle for Smith.
Westbrook will now operate directly from Paramount’s Hollywood lot. This move ends Smith’s long-standing relationship with Sony, where he produced major hits for decades. It also arrives three years after his viral Chris Rock Oscars slap, which ended with Smith being banned by the Academy.
