Will Smith is set to star in the action thriller “Supermax,” directed by “Halloween” director David Gordon Green.
According to Deadline, which broke the news of the deal, Amazon MGM acquired world rights to the film from Miramax for $70 million. The studio will not release “Supermax” in theaters, but instead will release it directly on Prime Video, but no date has been set.
Smith hasn’t appeared on screen since 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which was Smith’s first leading role since he assaulted Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Academy Awards. Bad Boys 4 was a $404 million worldwide hit, showing that audience interest remains, at least as long as Smith anchors the series. He has not appeared in an original film since the incident at the Oscars. At least other Hollywood studios seem more willing to work with Smith in the wake of his reputational damage. Westbrook, whose entertainment company he co-founded with Jada Pinkett Smith, recently signed a first-look deal with Paramount to produce franchise films.
Supermax is described as a “propulsive, fast-paced action thriller” about two FBI agents investigating a murder in the world’s most secure prison. (Well, no more?) Smith will play a character named Rex. Additional casting is currently underway and production is scheduled to begin in mid-August.
David Weil and David J. Rosen, whose film credits include Hunters and Invasion, wrote the screenplay. Weil and Rosen will also serve as executive producers, along with associate producer Natalie Weil. The film will be produced by Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona of The Picture Company, with Smith and Adam Fishback producing at Smith’s Westbrook company. Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman, President of Cinema Alexandra Loewy, COO Tom Zadra, and Senior Vice President Spencer Eala will serve as executive producers.
