As Will Smith’s acting career spans over three decades, he has successfully placed himself in the field of mainstream action and drama. Through movies like Independence Day and I Am Legend, Smith has made his presence felt in the science fiction genre as well. These movies showed his versatility in acting and his strong box-office appeal.

I Am Legend
I Am Legend | via Warner Bros. UK & Ireland YouTube

Smith has recently gone through some troubles, among which the infamous slap on the stage of the 94th Academy Awards and the ban for 10 years after that rank at the top. However, he is making a comeback with the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die and with the announcement of another sci-fi thriller for Sony.

Will Smith Will Star in Sony’s Sci-Fi Thriller Resistor

Will Smith in Independence Day
Will Smith in Independence Day | Credit: 20th Century Studios

Sony is now developing their next science-fiction film, Resistor, which is based on the novel Influx by Daniel Suarez. According to Deadline, this movie will also be another addition to Will Smith‘s sci-fi filmography, and the fans will definitely be expecting lots, as his previous science fiction movies have been great hits.

Netizens have expressed their opinions and excitement about the return of Smith in the sci-fi genre once again.

Influx was published in 2014, and it involves a society that has secret government plans to slow down progress by exploiting technology. According to the synopsis, the majority of the plot of the novel is focused on the character of Jon Grady.

Grady is a physicist who has invented a machine that reflects gravity. However, his invention brings him the attention of a group known as the Bureau of Technology Control (BTC), which is a group of evil people whose main aim is to stop all technological progress that may disrupt their social order in the future.

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Grady lands up in a high-tech prison, where he gets to meet other like-minded people who have chosen not to follow the instructions of BTC in the past. They prepare to fight against BTC as well as reveal the truth to the entire world. The story seems to fit Smith’s skills perfectly, as he will most probably portray the character of Grady.

Many well-known writers and producers have joined the project. The first draft of Resistor was written by Zak Olkewicz, and the final draft was written by Eric Warren Singer. The producers involved in the project are Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Tony Shaw, and Dave Wilson, while Smith and Jon Mone will join through Westbrook.

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This will be another collaboration for Smith and Sony after films like The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds, and Emancipation.

Revival of Will Smith’s Career After Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Bad Boys Ride or Die
Bad Boys: Ride or Die | via Sony Pictures Entertainment YouTube

The box-office success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die has managed to revive Smith’s career. After the slap controversy and its aftermath, it became a question of whether Smith would actually be able to join the A-List stars once more. This movie helped the actor gain his confidence back and confirmed his relevance to his fans.

According to Box Office Mojo, Ride or Die has so far grossed more than $215 million worldwide, and Smith posted on his Instagram that the Bad Boys franchise has made over $1 billion, and only a few got to make it. According to Collider, Ride or Die was made with a production cost of $100 million, and it recovered that amount in its first week alone.

Following the slap incident, Smith released Emancipation, which did not create the much-needed comeback for him. However, the fourth installment of the Bad Boys series was helpful for Smith in reviving his career, as it evoked elements of nostalgia along with action and drama that won back his fans. The movie also made reference to the Oscar slap when Martin Lawrence slaps Smith repeatedly during a panic attack scene in the movie.

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Resistor appears to be a strategic move for both Smith and Sony, capitalizing on the renewed momentum from Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Gaining back the confidence and trust of the viewers, and with a familiar movie type, Smith’s future project looks promising both for the production house and for him.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now playing in theaters.

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