ROTTEN TOMATOES: Will Smith is the New King of Hollywood

Will Smith is the New King of Hollywood

by Scott Weinberg | April 04, 2007

A few years back the heaviest Hollywood hitters (actor-wise) were Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Mel Gibson. Nowadays it's guys called Ben Stiller and Johnny Depp -- both of whom are trying to catch up with the $4.4 billion dollar man: Will Smith.

Seems that, according to MSNBC, Mr. Smith is in a class completely by himself. (They say his movies make more than Adam Sandler's and Will Ferrell's combined ... and that's pretty damn amazing.) Crossing demographics is what Will Smith seems to do best: "He's the black Jimmy Stewart," says an industry insider. "He invites the white community in, yet he's credible with the black community."

Unlike many of his high-profile and mega-bankable colleagues, Smith crosses genres as easily as he demolishes the box office. Comedies, action flicks, sci-fi adventures, dramatic films... The guy gets his finger in a lot of different pies. And he's consistent, too. (He hasn't had a real bomb since "Wild Wild West" -- and even that flick managed to gross over $220 million worldwide.

For the record, here are the worldwide numbers for Will Smith's last several movies:

"The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006) -- $302m
"Hitch" (2005) -- $368m
"Shark Tale" (2004) -- $363m
"I, Robot" (2004) -- $347m
"Bad Boys 2" (2003) -- $273m
"Men in Black 2" (2002) -- $441m
"Ali" (2001) -- $87m
"The Legend of Bagger Vance" (2000) -- $39m
"Wild Wild West" (1999) -- $222m
"Enemy of the State" (1998) -- $250m
"Men in Black" (1997) -- $589m
"Independence Day" (1996) -- $816m
"Bad Boys" -- (1995) $141m

Not bad for a kid from Philadelphia.

Sources: MSNBC.com, Box Office Mojo

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(1-20 of 51 posts) | Reply

mojodaddy writes:
on Apr 04 2007 05:34 AM

I never really noticed that. Good for him I guess. i, Robot was a very pleasant surprise.

(Reply to this)

southernpride writes:
on Apr 04 2007 06:27 AM

I have followed his success over the years and have been very pleased. Will Smith is in a class by himself.

(Reply to this)

Legit writes:
on Apr 04 2007 06:58 AM

I was just telling my roommate that I think Will Smith is one of the most consistent actors out there today IMO, Will Smith is the man!

(Reply to this)

okito writes:
on Apr 04 2007 07:28 AM

KING, KING INDEED.

I totally agree with you guys
Now I want to say something, Will is the man, I love this guys, he is an amazing actor to speak of. and i don't know if you know about this, but when an actor such as of course WILL SMITH) a well established actor,i think sometimes in the script, some of his elements are added, like his personality, i mean if you can bank in pretty well for a studio i don't see why the can't adjust a script for let's say following project.

this guy worked hard, and won the heart of people around, hi has been a great source of strengths for me, and courage, and I think it's about time He's crowned.
HIM and DEPP. are the most awesome actor now and It's true, you my say whatever you want but these guys rule.
I LOVE YOU DAWG.

(Reply to this)

lrm8 writes:
on Apr 04 2007 07:29 AM

Will Smith is indeed money in the bank, and he consistently makes entertaining movies (he even made hitch a little watchable), but does he always have to be "Will Smith" in all his movies? its obviously lucrative for him, but i'd like to see him in a movie where he disappears into a role, where people walk out of the movie and say, "wait, that was will smith!?" Pursuit of Happyness seems to be a step in this direction (even though i havent seen it), since that character is not the will smith of bad boys/i robot/men in black. i'd rather never see another will smith summer blockbuster again if it means seeing him in smaller films. and more frequently, since he only puts out about one film a year, (but at like 20 mil a movie, he can afford it).

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Apr 04 2007 07:32 AM

from prince of bel air to king of hollywood. not bad.

yo homey, smell ya later!

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Xhrix writes:
on Apr 04 2007 07:50 AM

Personally I enjoy the "Will Smith" persona. He's got great confidence, and really makes watching his movies enjoyable. He just looks like he would be incredible to hang around, say at a party or a bar, cause you know he'd make it a good time, and keep you smiling.

I'd be more excited for a Men in Black 3 than a Spiderman 4 or POTC 4, because I know I'd be entertained garunteed

(Reply to this)

JackHorner1979 writes:
on Apr 04 2007 07:58 AM

Too bad more than half of those films are absolutely rubbish.

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crudebob writes:
on Apr 04 2007 08:25 AM

Yes, he's a decent actor but lets face it, the majority of his movies are average at best but like Home Alone,they made the money they did only because of timing. Independence Day is a prime example. If anyone claims that Will Smith is the reason these movies made that kind money then they also have to say the same about the movies Jeff Goldblum was in.

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Ozman writes:
on Apr 04 2007 08:51 AM

[b]WillSmith[/b]
Will is surely the MAN! Homey can play alll fields and he still won't get the play Tom Cruise gets, but Hollywood Makers will keep on saying unless they give the Matt Damon's top billing or some unheard of, people won't come to see the flick. Now the lie we knew all along has been exposed. So whats the real deal?

(Reply to this)

Ozman writes:
on Apr 04 2007 08:54 AM

In reply to this comment (#860113)
Yeah, and Hollywood is listening to you?

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Poefx writes:
on Apr 04 2007 09:17 AM

Probably one the most healthiest life styles of any celebrity is Will Smith's and Jada's. They are down to earth people that don't enjoy all the glitz and glam of hollywood but would rather watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer with their kid at home. Any fan of Buffy is a fan of mine.

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unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Apr 04 2007 09:51 AM

He might be bringing in all the money at the box office, but it's been a damn long time since he's made something that I would actually want to buy on DVD and watch a whole bunch of times.

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lydecah89 writes:
on Apr 04 2007 10:11 AM

[b]Fresh Prince[/b]
He may not be the greatest of actors, or make the best movies, but you know you will be entertained and enjoy yourself at the movies. Will Smith is similar to Denzel or Johnny, that you know they will put a very good to great performance and at the end of the day you're a satisfied customer. Plus the proof is in the pudding he makes hella good movies that make a ridicoulous amount of money and he is stinkin rich with the Fresh prince syndication.

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red_wine writes:
on Apr 04 2007 11:48 AM

[b]Will Smith - The Master Of Mediocrity[/b]
His movies are garbage. Look at the movies mentioned above, throwaway movies I would say. Made lots of money, so what, even A Night At The Museum made a lot of money. Not a single movie really that you can think fondly about and say, gosh that was brilliant.

When somebody tells you to think about about some of the best movies you have ever seen, Will Smith wont be in one of them unless you are 13 year old.

That said, I like him, but don't necessarily enjoy his movies. Hollywood seriously needs to assess who they want to call their biggest stars. Will Smith? Maybe a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong shot (I really cant have enough o's here). Ben Stiller??????????? Will Ferrel?????????? Adam Sandler???????????

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ksduded writes:
on Apr 04 2007 11:50 AM

I have been his fan since Fresh Prince days and it feels great to see on of my long time favourites to climb so high..... I did the same research sometime back and found that he was the most bankable star...... and he has worked in original franchises mostly..... more power to him

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skasforfags writes:
on Apr 04 2007 01:00 PM

I prefer Leo DiCaprio.

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curtis writes:
on Apr 04 2007 01:58 PM

I do not think he will ever make a film that makes less then a 100 million. Atleast not anytime soon.

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bigbrother writes:
on Apr 04 2007 02:05 PM

The thing I find funny is that they think this is news. Really hasn't Will been the King since MIB? He's certainly been the most bankable star and for the haters who say he's never done anything worthwhile check out Ali or The Pursuit of Happiness.

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Boss Fan writes:
on Apr 04 2007 04:26 PM

In reply to this comment (#860122)
We did... that's what we're saying.

Seriously, I have no real problem with Will Smith, but his movies are pretty forgettable (a few exceptions, sure). Just as with how we don't acuate that a film is either good or bad because of its box office numbers (or should anyway - a good film is still a good film even if people don't go to see it)), a measure of an actor's greatness is not in who has the biggest box office receipts. Will Smith is no more a great actor because of his bankbook, than "Wild Hogs" is a great movie because of it's.

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Celeb:	Tom Cruise
	Will Ferrell
	Adam Sandler
	Will Smith
	James Stewart
	Tom Hanks
	Mel Gibson
	Johnny Depp
	Ben Stiller
Movie:	Enemy of the State
	Wild Wild West
	The Legend of Bagger Vance
	Ali
	Men in Black II
	Bad Boys II
	I, Robot
	Shark Tale
	Hitch
	Men In Black
	Independence Day
	The Pursuit of Happyness
	Bad Boys

RottenTomatoes.com