Latino Review caught up with
Terminator Salvation director McG and pressed some questions about his upcoming project
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It turns out he's trying to get Will Smith to play his main character Nemo:
McG talked a bit about his idea and all of a sudden I heard him say, "The character Nemo in this film is more about obsession, he is obsessed and people tend to forget that when you become so obsessed you end up being the villain."
McG continues, "'Man I'm trying to get Will Smith to do it, been trying to get a hold of him. I've been wanting to work with him for a long time already. That guy's great."
The film is an origin story of Nemo as he creates his warship, the Nautilus. The characters come from the Jules Verne novel.
The 1954 original "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" was the first live-action film made by Walt Disney, became the second-highest grossing film that year and won three Oscars.
28 Comments
Please tell me you weren't trying to make a point with that "opening statement." I about died with laughter. "Smith doesn't look Indian enough..." Now, that's funny. {though I don't think that was your intention}.
This is all speculation and assuming too much lol. You don't know McG, maybe he secretly has a crush on Fresh Prince when he was younger (sexually or nonsexually) and always wanted to work with him? Since you are now basing everything in this article as assumption and no facts whatsoever, let's see...McG is also a scientist and he has cured cancer but no one knows about it yet. What other stuff can we make up at the top of my head... oh sorry that wasn't in the article? My bad.
Back to the facts.
Will Smith = talented...everything lol.
Julia Roberts = fugly no talent actress.
= Terrible comparison lol
And my main question to you is why do you assume that McG only wants him cause his name is Will Smith? Yeah, I'm sure the studio that makes the picture would want a big name like that, but as a director, I don't think that's what directors think of when they want to cast somebody. Will Smith is big, but not that big. He's been in a few good movies, but nothing has given him the credibility he deserves. He can keep doing Happiness and Seven Pounds type of films, but it won't make him a legend sort of speak. For example, if you take Brad Pitt, he has numerious legendary films like Snatch that Will Smith could never touch. Hell, now everytime I think of Achilles I think of Brad Pitt in Troy. Whether you like that movie or not, Brad Pitt was awesome. Another legendary character. Honestly, I'd like to see Will as a Ghostbuster, I think that would be his legendary character. He needs one. Christian Bale has Batman, Tobey has Spiderman, Hugh Jackman has Wolverine, Johnny Depp has several- Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, and Sweeney Todd. Robert Downey Jr. has Iron Man, Ron Perlman has Hellboy, Elija Wood has Froto, and Oliver Platt-Kiefer Sutherland-Charlie Sheen have The Three Musketeers lol. All these actors are huge because they took on a legendary character from all places, be it books, comics, or old short stories. Not saying Will Smith is right for this, I'm just saying it's not like he's a bad choice.
But McG hasn't even asked Will Smith, yet...
If you move the location Zz then it wouldn't be Captain Nemo it'd be more like Captain Smith Of Africa
And as I said before; simply move the action from India to Africa, and you have a great film...
Hopefully McG gets a hold of Smith.
And yes it is true because people now see Will Smith as a icon of acting, when the name 'Will Smith' or another class-A actor is slammed on a production, then they do rake in more profit or as Brunch put it 'get more butts in sit.'
Would you go see a Captain Nemo film starring Jason Rodriguez
or
A film starring Will Smith as Captain Nemo.
Will Smith's career has recently soared to new heights since The Pursuit Of Happiness & I Am Legend (because he held I Am Legend on his own and still made ir a box office success).
BTW, I like that tardhatch comment I'll have to remember that one, you scroat! lol
Before people comment on his colour, yes he is part indian and also see Ghandi
Move the action to Africa. Same story. Different setting.
I see no problem in WIll Smith playing this character.
The fact that they are trying this indicates to me that this project will suck. They are worried about drawing crowds based on name and not a good production. Really sad to read this.
I really can't see Smith in this role despite the fact that he is a very versatile actor.
If it's animated then i'd say yeah go for it, but live-action nah.
I also agree with Chad Vital, i've been waiting for someone to update this for ages too ahhh, the old version is still classic though with the collassal squid
Will Smith can play any role. Well. And since it is him I probably watch it.
Although I still am pulling for Fresh Prince Movie