Summary
A budding science fiction series helmed byWill Smithwould not only denote a rare career direction for the actor butcould improve on another of his sci-fi endeavorsthat failed to make its mark on critics nearly two decades ago. Smith is a certifiable movie star, having featured in universal hits dating back to the 90s, includingIndependence Day,Men in Black,most recently,the lucrativeBad Boyssequel, and plenty in between. Even when his films, likeGemini ManandSeven Pounds, have polarized critics and audiences, they’ve still become enduring testaments to his influence in cinema.
As big of a movie star Smith gets, it’s impossible to forget that he was once comedy sitcom royalty, leading six seasons ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airbefore pretty much leaving acting for television behind for good. Among his future projects, though, is a prospectiverole that will end Smith’s long career droughtwith an unexpected return to TV. As a bonus, the atypical role has the opportunity to improve on one of the moredivisive movies of Smith’s career, which isgenerally well-regarded by audiences but not favored as much by critics.
Fast and Loose
Will Smith’s New Sci-Fi Show Will Return Him To A.I. After I, Robot
Smith Returns To TV And The Premise Of Artificial Intelligence
In addition to returning him to small screens,Smith’s new sci-fi serieswill bring the actor back into the premise of artificial intelligence. Before, Smith starred in the 2004 sci-fi actionI, Robot,in which highly intelligent robots under the dictation of an A.I. supercomputer conspired to enslave humanity. Similarly,Smith’s new series will pursue the subject of A.I., though in what manner has yet to be disclosed, as it is still in its earliest stages. All that’s known is Smith’s interest in seeing the project to fruition and who he’s been in talks with so far.
If Smith’s new show recalls the principal downfalls ofI, Robot, it has a great chance of becoming a science fiction entry that both critics and audiences can appreciate.
According to reports, Smith has pitched the series he’s looking to star in and produce toWestworldandFalloutcreatives Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, respectively. Since no other major details have been made available, it’s hard to gauge what else is in store for the sci-fi series. Yet, havingSmith at its fore in multiple capacities could be a considerable advantage. If Smith’s new show recalls the principal downfalls ofI, Robot, it has a great chance of becoming a science fiction entry that both critics and audiences can appreciate.
What Went Wrong With Will Smith’s I, Robot
Critical Reception Panned I, Robot As Unoriginal
As indicated byI, Robot’sRotten Tomatoesaudience approval score of 70%,the public enjoyed the science fiction action more than critics.I, Robot’sblend of dated but cool special effects and Smith-fronted action sequences was enough for audiences to categorize the movie as classic entertainment. However, while it may endure as a favorite for Smith fans,I, Robotwasn’t as impressive, nor has it stood the test of time with critics, who scored it lower at 57%. Weighed against the source material that inspired the film and other sci-fi movies that have tackled artificial intelligence,I, Robotlacked originality.
I, Robotwas loosely inspired by Isaac Asimov’s 1950 short story collection of the same name, which has persisted through the ages as a thrilling and intelligent consideration of robot-human interaction. In the eyes of critics,I, Robotwas a letdownbecauseit wasn’t nearly as thoughtful and lacked depth in its story. Consequently, the holes and hangups within it were too substantial to hide behind the Hollywood frills of high-octane action and big-name celebrities. Even more, compared to the artificial intelligence blockbusters that preceded it, such asThe MatrixandThe Terminator, I, Robotseemingly failed to stand out.
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How Will Smith’s New A.I. TV Show Can Improve On I, Robot
Smith’s New Series Can Dive Deep Into Its Artificial Intelligence Story
Regardless of critical reception,I, Robotnearly tripled its $120 million budget by making $353 million globally (viaBox Office Mojo), meaning it had to have done something right. If Smith’s new A.I. show can match the special effects and action efforts that audiences admired inI, Robotwhile placing an added focus on hashing out its own story, it could become a critical and commercial hit. With a serialized format and potential sci-fi bigwigs on board,Smith’s new series would have the space and talent to develop a compelling and fully realized artificial intelligence story.
Having an admirable history with sci-fi films, likeI Am Legend,Independence Day, and, of course,I, Robot, Smith is more than capable of leading and producing such a project. Nolan, who’s written for sci-fi sensations, includingInterstellarand theWestworldseries, and Joy, who producedWestworldand the smash hitFallout, would be the perfect series additions to ensure the script tackled the subject of artificial intelligence flawlessly. IfWill Smith’s new series comes to fruition with a solid script, it’d mark more than just an improvement onI, Robotbut a massive TV comeback for the actor.
I, Robot
Cast
I, Robot is a science fiction film directed by Alex Proyas, set in a 2035 world where robots are integrated into society. Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is skeptical of these machines and investigates a crime he believes was committed by a robot, challenging the established trust humans have in robotic technology. The story explores themes of artificial intelligence, ethics, and the evolving relationship between humans and robots.
