Will Smith attends Apple Original Films' 'Emancipation' Los Angeles premiere at Regency Village Theatre on Nov. 30, 2022. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Will Smith has found a new home at Paramount Pictures. The movie star and his Westbrook banner, which he runs with wife Jada Pinkett Smith, have inked a first-look deal with a focus on developing four-quadrant theatrical movies, emphasizing projects based on IP and franchise plays. The projects will be developed as starring vehicles for the Oscar winner. Under the deal, Westbrook has set up projects at the studio, including Sugar Bandits, based on the book Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan that follows a down-and-out Iraqi war veteran who intercepts drug deals for profit. The project has bounced around at other studios. Another project that was revealed as a part of today's announcement is Rabbit Hole from Dune writer Jon Spaihts. After taking the reins at Paramount Pictures, Ellison has been on a dealmaking spree. On Tuesday, the studio announced a deal with Activision that will see the popular video games series Call of Duty become a big-screen movie franchise. Other transactions include a $7.7 billion deal for UFC rights and an exclusive multiyear pact with Stranger Things creators Duffer brothers. For his part, Smith previously worked with both Ellison's Skydance banner and Paramount on the action thriller Gemini Man. Smith, repped by CAA, was last onscreen in 2024's Bad Boys: Ride or Die, his comeback vehicle after slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, and the 2022 Apple history drama Emancipation. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Venice 2025 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' World Premiere Roars in Venice With 21-Minute Standing Ovation and "Free Palestine" Chants Paul Mescal 'Hamnet' to Open Mill Valley Film Festival With Star Jessie Buckley Set for Key Award (Exclusive) Tom Cruise The Fatal Ponzi Scheme That Rocked Hollywood Vera Farmiga 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Review: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson Return for a Concluding Chapter Full of Stale Scares Venice Film Festival 2025 Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara Walk Venice Red Carpet to Support Gaza Drama 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' Heat Vision Guillermo del Toro Getting 12-Movie Retrospective From Beyond Fest Venice 2025 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' World Premiere Roars in Venice With 21-Minute Standing Ovation and "Free Palestine" Chants Paul Mescal 'Hamnet' to Open Mill Valley Film Festival With Star Jessie Buckley Set for Key Award (Exclusive) Tom Cruise The Fatal Ponzi Scheme That Rocked Hollywood Vera Farmiga 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Review: Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson Return for a Concluding Chapter Full of Stale Scares Venice Film Festival 2025 Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara Walk Venice Red Carpet to Support Gaza Drama 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' Heat Vision Guillermo del Toro Getting 12-Movie Retrospective From Beyond Fest