AceShowbiz - Gemini Man, the 2019 science fiction thriller starring Will Smith, is experiencing a notable resurgence in streaming viewership despite its initial underperformance at the box office. The film, which pairs Smith with a digitally de-aged younger clone of himself, was originally met with mixed reactions and failed to meet commercial expectations during its theatrical run.

Before the controversy surrounding Will Smith at the Oscars and his subsequent decade-long ban from the Academy Awards, Smith’s career was already facing challenges. During the years leading up to the incident, Smith starred in several box office disappointments, including After Earth, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, which was designed to showcase Smith’s son, Jaden. Other films like Concussion and Collateral Beauty also underperformed. However, Smith bounced back with the major success of the live-action Aladdin in 2019. That same year, though, he appeared in his second major sci-fi misfire in quick succession: Gemini Man.

Gemini Man was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee, who had been experimenting with high frame rate (HFR) technology. Lee’s previous use of HFR in the 2016 war drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk had baffled audiences and grossed only $30 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. Gemini Man was an even bigger production, co-produced by prolific producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount’s then-new CEO David Ellison, with a budget reported to be just under $140 million.

The film’s storyline centers on Smith as Henry Brogen, a skilled sniper pursued by a younger clone of himself, also portrayed by Smith through advanced digital de-aging techniques. This technology was increasingly popular in Hollywood at the time, seen in films like Captain America: Civil War and The Irishman. Despite its technical innovations, Gemini Man struggled to attract a wide theatrical audience, ultimately grossing approximately $175 million worldwide—only marginally above its production budget.

Critically, Gemini Man was not well received. It holds a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics acknowledged its impressive visuals and strong performances but criticized the film’s story as “frustratingly subpar.” On the other hand, the audience score on the same site is significantly higher at 83%, indicating a more favorable reception among general viewers.

Recently, Gemini Man has been gaining popularity on streaming platforms. According to FlixPatrol, the film ranked among the most-watched movies on the domestic Starz streaming chart this past week. This uptick in viewership suggests that the film is finding a second life with audiences who may have missed it during its theatrical release or are discovering it anew on streaming services.

Will Smith is supported in the cast by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong, who play key roles in the film’s narrative. The movie blends science fiction, action, and thriller elements, with a PG-13 rating and a release date of October 11, 2019.

While Gemini Man remains Ang Lee’s most recent feature film as a director, its resurgence in streaming popularity could prompt a reevaluation of its place in Smith’s filmography and the sci-fi genre. Fans and new viewers alike may now be giving the film the attention it initially lacked in theaters.

Stay tuned to Collider for further updates on trending films and how changing audience preferences impact the lifespan of movies beyond their box office runs.