Report: Will Smith leaves action thriller Sugar Bandits due to scheduling conflicts
Will Smith has established himself as a prominent figure in the Hollywood film industry, having worked on numerous blockbuster hits. However, the actor recently had to step away from another potential hit, Sugar Bandits. Reports suggest that Smith had to leave the action thriller due to scheduling conflicts.
According to Deadline, the film was in the pre-production phase when the Men in Black star made his decision. It was also the time when Sugar Bandits was in search of shooting locations.
As the crew of the film seeks a replacement of equal caliber, the future of the movie remains uncertain. Sugar Bandits was acquired by Amazon Prime Video and other distributors at the European Film Market. Additionally, the movie generated significant buzz at Cannes with the expectation of Will Smith leading the thrilling narrative.
Although Will Smith has stepped down from acting in the project, he and his production company, Westbrook, are still involved as producers, as reported by Collider. The movie is based on the novel Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan, known for creating works like Prince of Thieves, which was later adapted into the film, The Town.
The storyline of Sugar Bandits, set in Boston, revolves around a group of urban vigilantes led by ex-Special Forces operative Neal Maven, a role originally intended for Will Smith. The vigilantes target the city’s drug traffickers but soon find themselves caught between the DEA and dangerous hitmen.
Directed by Stefano Sollima, known for his work on acclaimed films like Sicario: Day of the Soldado and Without Remorse, Sugar Bandits faces uncertainty following Smith’s departure. While it’s unknown what led Smith to leave the project, his upcoming roles include Fast and Loose and The Council.
One of Smith’s highly anticipated projects is the post-apocalyptic film, I Am Legend.
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