Why does Will Smith keep making the same movie over and over?

I know he’s said a bunch of times he likes playing those characters because they’re fun for him, not to mention he’s well accepted in those roles. Besides, if the movies being made are in that vein, he’s not responsible for fitting the bill in the eyes of the consumer.

But he really doesn’t, I mean, Ali? Hitch? Legend of Bagger Vance? Pursuit of Happyness?

None of those are the kind of role you mentioned.

He doesn’t have much range, he has a good thing going, and he likes money. @Asmonet, in the movies you mentioned doesn’t he play a flawed-yet-inspring every man hero?

A couple of other actors who always play the same role: Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson, and Christian Slater (who interestingly enough plays Jack Nicholson in most of his roles).

When Will was starting out he played an interesting, flawed person in Six Degrees of Separation, which I liked him in. I think he has a wider range, but it seems that he’s just not eager to explore it since it might put off his mainstream fan base.

@April, lurve for mentioning Six Degrees of Separation, that was a great movie with a different performance by Will Smith.

@PnT, lurve for your topic!

Because people keep paying to see it.

@supermouse: He’s a leading man. Sorry, but there just aren’t many other roles available where his commercial appeal wouldn’t hinder his efforts at more ‘serious’ roles. He isn’t typecast in my opinions by any means, rather he gives me the impression that he knows what works for his career and his family, and is savvy enough to know how the public best accept him as well.

It’s a product of the system he works in and also his efforts to make the system work for him.

Yeah cause he is good at it. Watch ‘The Legend’. Awesome movie by him.

I watched “I Am Legend” recently if that’s the one you mean. Gotta be honest, it didn’t do anything for me.

Sry “I am Legend” correct.. I thought it was brilliant. But the ending of course sux to the max. It spoilt the whole thing.

I gotta agree with Dave on “I am legend” – I thought the decayed city was visually interesting, but otherwise, meh.

I always wonder what will happen to anyone of us if there are no one else on earth except us. Guess i am more fascinated with the storyline than anything else in the movie.

Others have done it before so much better, though.

@mea0key Have you read “The World Without Us”?

@pupntace

Em, what movie of the sort can you recomend me?

@syz
Nope. Who’s the author? Is there a movie on it?

because its the role of the typical american. we all aspire to greatness and we all have our flaws.

@mea05key:

Movies:
The Omega Man
Wall•E (kind of)

TV:
Twilight Zone episodes “Time Enough at Last” and ” I Shot an Arrow into the Air”

Books:
Cat’s Cradle
Galapagos
I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
On the Beach
The Road
The Stand
The Last Man on Earth

the omega man is just a black and white version of I am Legend. Anyhow thanks for the list for that sort of genre

@mea05key,
There isn’t a movie on A World Without Us but there were a couple shows on Dicovery and History Channels on it. It was written by Alan Weisman. It was a thought provoking book.

@mea: No, I am Legend is just a color remake of Omega Man.

I would add “Children of Men” to the list of fascinating movies exploring the “end of humankind” motif. The premise is that in the near future, babies mysteriously stop being born… and we see the world that comes about as a result. Haunting and inspiring.

Yes, that’s one of my favorites. So intense, so sad.