Will Smithhas signed on to replaceHugh Jackmanin the new dramaCollateral Beautyfor Anonymous Content, PalmStar and Likely Story.Hugh Jackmanbacked out of the project last month, withDeadlinereporting at the time that the filmmakers were going afterJohnny Deppto replace him. That isn’t happening anymore, withWill Smithnow on board to star.
The story centers on a New York advertising executive who suffers a terrible personal tragedy that sends him into a funk. When his co-workers come up with an unorthodox plan to get him out of this depressive state, it works in ways they couldn’t have possibly fathomed.Rooney MaraandJason Segelare also attached to star, although no details were revealed regarding their roles.
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, who directed this summer’s indie hit Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, is directing from a screenplay byAllan Loeb(Here Comes the Boom). Anonymous Content’s Michael Sugar and Bard Dorros are producing alongside PalmStar CEO Kevin Scott Frakes, which is providing the financing. PalmStar paid a whopping $2.25 million forAllan Loeb’s script, with production set to begin in October.
Hugh Jackmanwas forced to drop out of the project due to scheduling conflicts with the upcomingWolverine 3.Will Smithis currently filmingSuicide Squadin Toronto. Warner Bros.' upcomingsuperhero movieis scheduled to shoot until mid-September, with a cast includingMargot Robbie,Cara Delevingne,Jai Courtney,Jared Leto,Joel KinnamanandViola Davis. The actor also has the dramaConcussionhitting theaters on Christmas Day.
It isn’t known how many other supporting roles are needed to be filled out beforeCollateral Beautystartsshootingthis fall, but withWill Smithnow on board, this could shape up to be anall-star cast. Hopefully we’ll get more plot details as we get closer to production starting up, but until then, what do you think aboutWill Smithjoining this project? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more onCollateral Beauty.
