Will Smith’s production company, Overbrook Entertainment, has inked a first-look deal with Columbia Pictures, thus defecting from Universal Pictures.

Columbia Pictures has locked down a first-look deal with James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment for five years.

According to an article in Variety, “Based at the studio since 2001, Overbrook has become one of the most successful star-driven banners in showbiz, producing such recent Sony hits as Hancock and Hitch.” (more…)

#1 “Yes Man” ($18.2 million)
#2 “Seven Pounds” ($16 million)
#3 “The Tale of Despereaux” ($10.5 million)
#4 “The Day the Earth Stood Still” ($10.2 million)
#5 “Four Christmases” ($7.75 million)

Hollywood studios are blaming icy weather and snowstorms in both the Northeast and Northwest regions of the country for this weekend’s sluggish numbers. With $18.2 million in its debut weekend, Jim Carrey’s “Yes Man” beat out Will Smith’s “Seven Pounds” (which brought in $16 million) for the top position, but Smith’s drama had a better per-screen average ($5,801 from only 2,758 screens). Both films were expected to have earned at least $5 million more, and it was Smith’s lowest opening since “Ali” in 2001. (more…)

He’s commemorated our city in song. He’s shot several films here, and he even sneaks in references to Miami in movies that have nothing to do with South Florida (as he did in this summer’s Hancock).

”I make everything Miami!” Will Smith said during a recent visit to The Miami Herald newsroom to promote his new film, Seven Pounds — which, in a rare turn of events, bears absolutely no connection to our town. (more…)

I just uploaded photos of Will arriving at Good Morning America in Manhattan. He looks so happy all the time…

GALLERY LINKS:
• Candids from 2008 – 12-13 – Arriving at Good Morning America in Manhattan [HQ]

More coming soon! Enjoy!

GALLERY LINKS:
• Appearances from 2008 – “Seven Pounds” – Los Angeles Premiere
• Appearances from 2008 – “Seven Pounds” – Los Angeles Premiere [HQ]

According to box office superstar Will Smith, he’s so big, any member of his family can have a hit.

“Put any Smith in there, it’s No. 1,” he joked to Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson at the “Seven Pounds” premiere in LA on Tuesday.

Will’s son, Jaden, stars alongside Keanu Reeves in “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” last weekend’s top-grossing film.

But Will said he has to make sure his kids – already following in Dad’s big footsteps – keep their egos in check. (more…)

Just-released tax returns for movie star Will Smith’s charitable foundation show he and wife, Jada, gave $1.3 million in donations last year to a variety of religious, civic and arts groups.

Smith’s biggest single contribution was, as usual, Yesha Ministries of Philadelphia. He gave the born-again Christian based organization run by Reverend James Robinson a whopping $250,000. That’s a hefty raise from the $140,000 he gave them the previous year. Another $200,000 went to a Christian ministry outside Los Angeles called Living Waters. (more…)

I just uploaded photos of Will and Jada in the December issue of Essence. Once I get my scanner running (yikes), I’ll post scans.

GALLERY LINKS:
• Photoshoots – Essence Magazine

Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian can thank actor, singer and performer Will Smith for the touchdown dance he hopes to debut to fans during Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“Stop looking at the porn,” Will Smith jokingly admonishes as he steps inside the hotel suite at the Ritz-Carlton.

He takes long strides across the room. His smile is wide. His laugh is booming. He shakes my hand like he’s a corporate CEO and we’ve just closed on a million-dollar deal.

He was in Dallas just two years ago, promoting his Oscar-nominated The Pursuit of Happyness, and little seems to have changed: This is a guy very conscious of his power to instantly win over whoever is in his midst. (more…)