Oscar-winning actor Will Smith, 55, has landed his next major role in the upcoming sci-fi thriller, Resistor, based on Daniel Suarez’s 2014 New York Times bestselling novel, Influx. Smith has reportedly been developing the project for years alongside American film producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Jon Mone, and Tony Shaw of Escape Artists.
Heather Washington will serve as an executive producer, while Dave Wilson will act as a producer. Screenwriter Zak Olkewicz, known for his work on Bullet Train (2022), penned the first draft of the script, with Eric Singer responsible for the latest draft.
Although the plot details are being kept under wraps, Resistor is an adaptation of Influx, which follows a physicist who is imprisoned in a high-tech facility just as he is on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the scientist uncovers a shadowy organization that has been hoarding technological advancements and keeping them out of the hands of the general public, prompting him to fight back.
The casting news comes on the heels of Smith’s latest movie, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which has proven to be a box office hit since its June 7 theatrical release. The fourth installment in the franchise has grossed $113 million domestically and $215.5 million globally, pushing the franchise past the $1 billion mark at the global box office.
The success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die demonstrates that Smith remains a draw for audiences, despite the controversy surrounding his slapping incident with Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Industry insiders have suggested that the film’s success could put the actor “back on top” and bode well for his future projects.
As Resistor is currently in development and searching for a director, fans eagerly await further updates on this high-profile sci-fi thriller. With Will Smith’s star power and the compelling source material from Daniel Suarez’s bestselling novel, Resistor has the potential to be another major hit for the actor and the creative team behind the project.
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