Bright is aĀ American urban fantasy action film directed by David Ayer and written by Max Landis.
Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves, and fairies have been co-existing since the beginning of time. Bright is genre-bending action movie that follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward (Will Smith) and Jakoby (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine patrol night and encounter a darkness that will ultimately alter the future and their world as they know it.
Described as “a contemporary cop thriller, but with fantastical elements”, making it the most expensive Netflix film to date!
Following the slap, his resignation from theĀ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,Ā and his ten-year ban from appearing at theĀ Academy AwardsĀ ceremony, the post-smack aftermath forĀ Will SmithĀ continues. While there were concerns that studios would instantly look at what projects they had in development with Smith and jettison them, some are doing exactly that and some are taking a more cautious approach.
According toĀ Bloomberg,Ā NetflixĀ has canceled Smithās upcoming film āBright 2,ā an LAPD/sci-fi hodgepodge that initially starred Smith andĀ Joel EdgertonĀ in a world where orcs, monsters, and fairies lived alongside humans. The initial film has its own baggage since it was written byĀ Max Landis,Ā a ācanceledā Hollywood screenwriter excommunicated for the various accusations of sexual misconduct and emotional and psychological abuse by several women.
READ MORE: āBright 2ā: Louis Leterrier Takes Over For David Ayer As Director Of The Netflix Sequel
While filmmakerĀ Louis LeterrierĀ was supposed to take over from initial directorĀ David Ayer,Ā no doubt there will be few tears shed for the sequel. While a success forĀ Netflix,Ā the original was critically reviled and has an abysmal 27% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Meanwhile,Ā Walt Disney Co.āsĀ National GeographicĀ division is taking more of a wait-and-see approach with their āPoleĀ To Poleā series.Ā The company is delaying production on the nature series featuring Smith visiting the North and South Poles.
Smith has been the subject of widespread criticism and backlash due to the now-infamous Oscars incident, where the actor slapped comedianĀ Chris RockĀ after Rock made jokes about Smithās wifeĀ Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith has also been part of National Geographicās āWelcome to Earthā series which debuted in December last year and āPole To Poleā is the third series Smith has starred in for the company. The production was set to begin in three weeks and has now been tentatively planned to begin in the fall. This could still mean weāll see the series appear sometime in 2023 when the backlash has died down and Disney feels more comfortable releasing it. Time will tell, but either way, if theyāre still going ahead with the show and Smith in it, that likely means theyāre banking it for when the optics feel right.