Will Smith the most powerful actor on the planet? (according to Newsweek)

[Beezy]

http://www.hollywoodwiretap.com/?module=news&action=story&id=13084

Newsweek has declared Will Smith the most powerful actor in Hollywood. With a worldwide career box office of $4.4 billion, Smith has taken over from “The Toms” and occasional comer Mel Gibson. The latter hasn’t starred in a major film in five years, notes Newsweek while Tom Cruise famously lost some of his credibility this past year and Tom Hanks has grown too old to be viable for most leading man scripts.

"The industry is going through a sea change, not just with actors, but in every way," said one industry insider. "Will Smith is the only thing in this business—the only thing—that represents a guaranteed opening weekend." One studio head added, "Let's put it this way," says one studio head, "there's Will Smith, and then there are the mortals."

Smith is followed by Johnny Depp and Ben Stiller according to the Newsweek story.

Newsweek's choice for the No. 1 spot was unanimous.

At 38, Smith's worldwide box office is more than Adam Sandler's and Will Ferrell's combined. He's bankable in every genre, whether sci-fi ("I, Robot"), action-comedy ("Men in Black"), romantic comedy ("Hitch") or drama ("The Pursuit of Happyness"). It was "Happyness," a downbeat film that grossed an astounding $298 million worldwide, that opened the industry's eyes to Smith's reach. "He can do anything," says one top studio exec. "The audience has enormous affection for him—we're talking a Tom Hanksian level of likability." His appeal is so universal that it transcends race. "He's the black Jimmy Stewart," says an industry insider. "He invites the white community in, yet he's credible with the black community. That's a pretty hard trick."

Link to Newsweek article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17888452/site/newsweek/

[MrAngryFace]

This is actually a really sad statement about the quality of actors in movies these days.

[Human Snorenado]

Man, I hate Will Smith.  And actually MAF, it's just that Hollywood is fucking clueless.  There are lots of better actors out there right now, it's just that they don't choose to measure success the way Hollywood does.

[Mupepe]

He rocked in Pursuit of Happyness.

And he's the best black actor out there.  He's also whitewashed.

[The Fake Shemp]

Will Smith is bankable because he doesn't scare white folks and he never lost his credibility with minorities; he can cross racial barriers.

[MrAngryFace]

No, its that movie goers are fucking clueless. The movie fans that HAVE taste are all downloading movies illegally or waiting till it hits DVDs.

Hollywood and Newsweek are going off raw numbers, which is a pretty damning view of people who go to theaters.

[Mupepe]

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS ROCKED!  FUCK THE HATERS! I'LL CHAMPION THE MOVIE

[MrAngryFace]

I just cant stand that type of movie because its written with on purpose. To make people become big all 'AWWWWWWWWWWW' pussies and shell out bucks. Not because its a good or unique story to tell.

NOW WHERE IS MY UNDERWORLD 3. (lolz)

[Human Snorenado]

Shut up mupepe, you'll fuck anything that lets you.

MAF, I prefer to blame Will Smith.  I have an irrational hatred of him.  But yeah, people are fucking dumb.  Children of Men is a great example- it's the best movie of the decade and it didn't do well at the box office, the studio didn't support it, it struck out at the Oscars and didn't get the proper critical response it deserved.  Also, Clive Owen > Will Smith by a long fucking shot.

[MrAngryFace]

Children of Men was shot really well but its not that great a movie, see:

http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=7083.0

[Human Snorenado]

Children of Men was shot really well but its not that great a movie, see:

http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=7083.0

Well, that's pretty much where you and reality stopped seeing each other.

[The Fake Shemp]

WELCOME TO EARF

[Mupepe]

I just cant stand that type of movie because its written with on purpose. To make people become big all 'AWWWWWWWWWWW' pussies and shell out bucks. Not because its a good or unique story to tell.

NOW WHERE IS MY UNDERWORLD 3. (lolz)

I don't care what it's purpose was.  It was funny and dramatic at the right moments.  The acting was great.  The writing wasn't really cheesy for that kind of movie.  It rocked.  

[Mupepe]

WELCOME TO EARF

I hate when he plays those characters.

OMG THE TOKEN BLACK GUY WITH ATTITUDE! 

Pursuit of Happyness

[brawndolicious]

He's a cunt that produces money.  Let's look at articles on him!

[MrAngryFace]

UNDERWORLD 3

[Mupepe]

UNDERWORLD 3

KATE IN LEATHER!  NOW!

[MrAngryFace]

Children of Men was shot really well but its not that great a movie, see:

http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=7083.0

Well, that's pretty much where you and reality stopped seeing each other.

Its not just me in that thread buddy.

[MrAngryFace]

UNDERWORLD 3

KATE IN LEATHER!  NOW!

I know I want Underworld Evolution in a special edition release like they did with the first movie. Thats some classy packaging.

[Himu]

It really sucks  that black actors can't get a good main role without being a big name like Denzel or fucking Will Smith.

I liked him in the Fresh Prince days but his movies have a lot left to be desired.

[Himu]

And he's the best black actor out there.

What the fuck?

[Mupepe]

And he's the best black actor out there.

What the fuck?

because he's whitewashed. 

[demi]

Pursuit of Happyness was the most inaccurate example of the african american. He didn't beat his wife, he didn't snort one off the table, or leave his kid behind, most of all he HAD A JOB, I simply shut it off and left the room.

Horrible movie.

[Himu]

[Beezy]

Pursuit of Happyness was the most inaccurate example of the african american. He didn't beat his wife, he didn't snort one off the table, or leave his kid behind, most of all he HAD A JOB, I simply shut it off and left the room.

Horrible movie.

Get outta my thread!

[Himu]

Demi is becoming my favorite poster.

[xnikki118x]

I liked him in Fresh Prince. A lot.

[Ichirou]

POST YOUR FAVORITE WILL SMITH QUOTE!!!

Here's mine: "Don't be alarmed, we're negroes!"

[Fresh Prince]

Will Smith is bankable because he doesn't scare white folks and he never lost his credibility with minorities; he can cross racial barriers.

He's the acting Joe Louis.

[xnikki118x]

POST YOUR FAVORITE WILL SMITH QUOTE!!!

Here's mine: "Don't be alarmed, we're negroes!"

"& I yelled to the cabbie, 'yo home, smell ya later!'"

[Itch]

No, its that movie goers are fucking clueless. The movie fans that HAVE taste are all downloading movies illegally or waiting till it hits DVDs.

What the fuck? People with taste support independent theater. Downloading movies illegally is for computer geeks and social outcasts.

But yeah, people are fucking dumb.  Children of Men is a great example- it's the best movie of the decade and it didn't do well at the box office, the studio didn't support it, it struck out at the Oscars and didn't get the proper critical response it deserved.  Also, Clive Owen > Will Smith by a long fucking shot.

Hahaha, well you're the only person on the planet that thinks so. Must be lonely in that ivory tower.

[Candyflip]

POST YOUR FAVORITE WILL SMITH QUOTE!!!

Here's mine: "Don't be alarmed, we're negroes!"

"& I yelled to the cabbie, 'yo home, smell ya later!'"

WELCOME TO EARF!

[Human Snorenado]

No, its that movie goers are fucking clueless. The movie fans that HAVE taste are all downloading movies illegally or waiting till it hits DVDs.

What the fuck? People with taste support independent theater. Downloading movies illegally is for computer geeks and social outcasts.

But yeah, people are fucking dumb.  Children of Men is a great example- it's the best movie of the decade and it didn't do well at the box office, the studio didn't support it, it struck out at the Oscars and didn't get the proper critical response it deserved.  Also, Clive Owen > Will Smith by a long fucking shot.

Hahaha, well you're the only person on the planet that thinks so. Must be lonely in that ivory tower.

That thinks what?  Children of Men was the best movie of the decade so far or that Clive Owen > Will Smith?  In either case, my Ivory Tower is not very lonely, thank you very much.  We only let the cool people in, though.

[Phoenix Dark]

I like how you guys have totally reframed the article. It's not about Smith being some wonderful actor - it's about him being the most likable actor in Hollywood, and the most bankable. Who cares. The vast majority of this country just isn't interested in movies like Children of Men or Pan's Labryinth etc. Baby boomers are a totally different breed and to declare them stupid because they have different tastes than you is typical of internet posters who feel their opinion is fact.

Willco already hit the nail on the head with respect to why people like/love him. Pursuit of Happyness is exactly the kind of movie many people go crazy over because it touches on so many human emotions that people find relevent to them. Personally I'll always respect Smith for being able to do anything as opposed to being the black guy with a gun (Denzel I'm looking at you ) in all his movies. Don't get me wrong, Denzel and other black actors are indeed "better" than Smith, but none seem to be cabable of doing so many different things.

[Mupepe]

[Phoenix Dark]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=874770640
I almost cry every time :'(

[Prost]

the man's a great actor, and it's hilarious when you consider his history in acting.

he really can do anything and do it well, and he appeals to white or black.

it's fine if you dislike him of course, but you can't call the guy a bad actor.