Will Smith is back. Actually, he never really left, but the vibe around his career has definitely shifted lately. After the explosive success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which cleared $400 million globally, the industry stopped whispering about whether he was "cancellable" and started asking what's next.
The answer is a bit of a whirlwind.
Right now, everyone is buzzing about the Will Smith new movie Fast and Loose. It’s a Netflix project that has been through the absolute ringer. It’s got memory loss, Tijuana, CIA double agents, and a director swap that sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood thriller. If you’ve been following the trades, you know this wasn't an easy birth.
The Chaos Behind Fast and Loose
Honestly, Fast and Loose almost didn't happen. Originally, David Leitch—the guy behind Bullet Train—was set to direct. He bailed right before the 2022 Oscars. Then Michael Bay stepped in. You’d think the duo that built the Bad Boys franchise would be a slam dunk, right? Wrong.
Reports surfaced that Smith and Bay couldn't agree on the "soul" of the film. Bay wanted a gritty, high-octane action flick. Smith wanted more comedy. Creative differences are a polite way of saying they weren't seeing eye-to-eye on how to spend $100 million.
Eventually, Bay walked.
Enter John Swab. He’s the director of King Ivory, and apparently, he blew the doors off the room during his pitch. This is a huge pivot. Swab brings a different kind of intensity. Now, the Will Smith new movie is moving full steam ahead toward a 2026 release.
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The plot is wild. Smith plays a guy who wakes up in Tijuana with zero memory. As he pieces his life back together, he discovers he’s been living two lives. In one, he’s a wealthy, successful crime boss. In the other, he’s a broke, undercover CIA agent.
Which one is the real him? That’s the hook.
Why Everyone Is Talking About I Am Legend 2
If you think Fast and Loose is the only thing on his plate, you haven't been paying attention. We need to talk about the elephant in the room: I Am Legend 2.
This sequel has been "in development" for what feels like a decade. But it’s actually real this time. Akiva Goldsman is writing it, and Michael B. Jordan is co-starring.
Here is the part that trips people up: Robert Neville died at the end of the first movie. Or did he?
The sequel is officially following the alternate ending of the 2007 film. You know, the one where he realizes the "monsters" are actually intelligent beings with feelings and he just lets them go? Yeah, that one. It ignores the theatrical cut entirely.
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What We Know About the Sequel:
- It takes place decades after the first film.
- The world is more "reclaimed by nature," similar to The Last of Us.
- Michael B. Jordan isn't just a sidekick; he’s a co-lead.
- It explores the "Darkseekers" as a legitimate society, not just mindless zombies.
The Projects That Fell Through
It hasn't all been wins. You might have heard about Sugar Bandits. This was supposed to be the big "Will Smith back in Boston" action movie based on the book Devils in Exile. He was set to play an ex-Special Forces soldier leading a group of vigilantes.
But he dropped out.
Scheduling conflicts are the official reason. He’s still producing it through Westbrook, his company, but he won’t be in front of the camera. It’s a bummer for fans who wanted to see him in a gritty, grounded heist movie, but it shows where his priorities are. He’s leaning into the massive, high-concept stuff instead.
Pole to Pole: The Docuseries Shift
While we wait for the scripted stuff, Smith just dropped Pole to Pole on National Geographic and Disney+. It’s a seven-part docuseries where he literally travels from the South Pole to the North Pole.
It’s not a movie, but it’s crucial for his "brand." It shows a vulnerable, curious version of the actor. He’s skiing in sub-zero temperatures, diving under ice, and talking to scientists.
People love it. It’s currently smashing streaming records.
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What’s the Status of Bad Boys 5?
Look, Sony wants it. Martin Lawrence wants it. The fans definitely want it. Ride or Die proved that the chemistry between Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett is bulletproof.
But there’s no script yet.
Martin Lawrence recently said they haven't officially "nailed down" an idea. The studio is pushing, but Smith seems to be waiting for the right story. He’s 57 now. He’s joked that if they do a fifth one, the younger cast members (the AMMO team) need to do all the running and jumping.
Expect it eventually, but don't hold your breath for a 2026 release.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of all these moving parts, here is how you should prioritize your watchlist and expectations:
- Watch Pole to Pole now. It’s the most current look at Smith’s mindset and it’s visually stunning.
- Track Fast and Loose updates. This is the project most likely to define his next era of acting. If John Swab delivers, it could be a career-best performance.
- Don't expect I Am Legend 2 until late 2026 or 2027. Big-budget sci-fi takes forever in post-production.
- Follow Westbrook Studios. Will Smith is producing more than he’s acting in lately. If you like his style, look for the Westbrook logo on upcoming projects like Rabbit Hole.
The landscape of a Will Smith new movie is always changing. One day he's a crime boss in Mexico, the next he's a scientist in a wasteland. Whether you're here for the action or the personal growth docs, the man is staying busy. Keep an eye on the Netflix release calendars as we get closer to the summer; that's usually when they start dropping the first teasers for the big hitters.