AceShowbiz - Will Smith is set to star in his next big project after Amazon MGM acquired the global streaming rights to the action thriller Supermax. The deal, reportedly worth $70 million, was confirmed by Variety and marks a significant move for the film, which will premiere exclusively on Prime Video without a theatrical release.

Previously, the rights to Supermax were held by Miramax, but now the film will be produced and distributed through Amazon’s platform. Filming for the project is scheduled to begin in August, and so far, Will Smith remains the sole cast member officially attached to the production.

The story of Supermax centers on two FBI agents investigating a murder inside the world’s most secure prison. Will Smith plays Rex, a key character in this intense thriller. The film’s director is David Gordon Green, known for directing the last three installments of the Halloween franchise: Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends. Green also co-wrote all three Halloween films. The screenplay for Supermax was penned by David Weil and David J. Rosen.

Beyond his horror work, David Gordon Green has an eclectic directing résumé that includes films like Pineapple Express, Stronger, and The Exorcist: Believer. His television credits feature series such as Eastbound & Down, Dickinson, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Scarpetta.

In addition to starring, Will Smith is also attached as a producer on Supermax. The producing team includes David Weil, David J. Rosen, Natalie Weil, Alex Heineman, Andrew Rona, Adam Fishbach, Jonathan Glickman, Alexandra Loewy, Thom Zadra, and Spencer Ela.

Will Smith’s recent work includes the 2024 action sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die, continuing the popular franchise that began in 1995. Since that release, he has made a surprise appearance in the final episode of Bel-Air, a Peacock drama reimagining of his iconic ’90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Additionally, he hosted the National Geographic docuseries Pole to Pole with Will Smith.

Will Smith rose to fame starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired for six seasons from 1990 to 1996. This role launched his successful film career, featuring in franchises and movies such as Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, Ali, I, Robot, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, Suicide Squad, the live-action Aladdin, King Richard, and Emancipation.

Will Smith has earned multiple Golden Globe nominations for his performances, including two for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and additional nods for Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Concussion. He won a Golden Globe in 2022 for King Richard, where he portrayed Venus and Serena Williams’ father. This role also garnered him a SAG Award, BAFTA, and his first Academy Award.

Will Smith’s Oscar win was overshadowed by the well-publicized incident during the telecast when he slapped comedian Chris Rock, which resulted in a 10-year ban from the Academy. This event impacted his reputation and caused him to be dropped from several projects.

Despite the controversy, Will Smith has gradually returned to the industry with new projects, including Bad Boys: Ride or Die and now Supermax. The release date for Supermax has not yet been announced.

Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. His career continues to evolve as he takes on challenging roles and major producing responsibilities in high-profile projects like Supermax.