It’s been several months since we last heard about Steven Spielberg’s plans to adapt the popular manga “Oldboy” into a live-action film starring Will Smith, but fans of both the manga and the original live-action adaptation released in 2003 have been buzzing about whether the edgy story will be softened for American audiences.

With the film and the original manga well-known for their disturbing themes — a crucial plot point involves incest — and graphic violence, is the typically family-friendly Spielberg up to the task of staying true to the dark, violent nature of the story?

“It’s the thing that Steven was attracted to,” Smith told MTV News. “We’re working from the comic and we haven’t done anything other than talk about it. So we’ll see what happens, but he’s not going to do anything that would be less than stunning.”
Source: MTV.com

Actor Will Smith poses with fans as he attends the UK Premiere of ‘Seven Pounds’ held at the Empire Leicester Square on January 14, 2009 in London, England.

GALLERY LINKS:
• Appearances from 2009 – “Seven Pounds” – UK Film Premiere

GALLERY LINKS:
• Appearances from 2009 – “Seven Pounds” – Madrid Premiere

Actor Will Smith was in Spain and stopped by a ridiculous show called El Hormiguero to promote his new movie, which I have no idea what it’s called in English, but is apparently titled “7 Almas” in Spanish. In the video above you’ll see Smith follow the conversation of the host via simultaneous translation, answer a couple questions in Spanish, cry about the Obama victory, and sing a flamenco song en español. Too much weird content for me here folks! I have to admit I pretty much despise him in his natural state, but since he’s so good-natured in Spanish he seems almost…ALMOST palatable.

Jackie Chan soon could be mentoring a karate kid.

The action hero is in negotiations to star in Columbia’s remake of “The Karate Kid.” He would take on the role of mentor Mr. Miyagi, made famous by Pat Morita in the original franchise.

Jaden Smith, son of actor Will Smith, would play Miyagi’s young protege, a role originally played by Ralph Macchio. The studio also has signed Harald Zwart (“Agent Cody Banks”) to direct the picture, which possibly will begin shooting this year in Beijing. (more…)

Actor Will Smith attends “Seven Pounds” photocall at Teatro Real on January 13, 2009 in Madrid, Spain.

GALLERY LINKS:
• Appearances from 2009 – “Seven Pounds” – Madrid Photocall

GALLERY LINKS:
• Appearances from 2009 – “Seven Pounds” – Rome Photocall
• Appearances from 2009 – “Seven Pounds” – Rome Premiere

The actor visited BILD headquarters in Berlin while promoting his latest movie, ‘Seven Lives’, and revealed how he deals with the pressure of fame.

BILD: What is the secret of your happiness?

Will’s Bambi eyes light up.

Will Smith: I work on myself every day. Every day I want to be better than I was the day before – better tomorrow than I am today. Only when you take responsibility for your life can you affect what will happen. Every person is given things from the universe – talents, capabilities and spirituality. It is your duty and imperative to give this positive energy back to the universe. (more…)

WILL Smith is in reflective mood in his latest film, Seven Pounds. The blockbuster star reveals how a painful divorce taught him to make through dark times.

Will Smith’s latest movie has the Hollywood megastar scared.

Why? Because the film doesn’t culminate in a save-the-world mega-moment like blockbusters Men in Black, Independence Day and I, Robot or the feelgood elation of human drama The Pursuit of Happyness. (more…)

Will Smith faced a cold walk on the red carpet in Berlin, Germany, for the premiere of his latest movie, Seven Pounds.

Smith said he felt he had an obligation to sign autographs for fans after they waited for him in sub-zero temperatures.

“That is fantastic man. I feel a responsibility to sign everybody’s autograph when they stay out in this kind of cold, ” he said. (more…)