So no Will Smith in the Independence Day sequel but we all know he loves him some sci-fi so news of his involvement in a movie of said genre was always going to be right around the corner.
Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures bought the rights to adapt Marcus Sakey‘s shrewd social commentary thriller novel, Brilliance before it had even hit shelves but we’re happy to report that the adaptation has now found itself a director, scribe and “possible” star.
Julius Onah (God’s Particle) has climbed on board to helm the film with the screenplay adapted by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible) writer David Koepp. In terms of Smith’s involvement, nothing is set in stone just yet but he is currently in negotiations to take on a leading role as a federal agent with super powers.
The original novel is the first in a three part series and, providing it bears more similarities to the Men in Black films than the recent After Earth, Smith could have another tent-pole franchise in the making on his hands.
To give you a rough idea of what we can expect, here’s the synopsis of the novel:
In Wyoming, a little girl reads people’s darkest secrets by the way they fold their arms. In New York, a man sensing patterns in the stock market racks up $300 billion. In Chicago, a woman can go invisible by being where no one is looking. They are called “brilliants,” and since 1980, one percent of people have been born this way.
Nick Cooper is among them; a federal agent, Cooper has gifts rendering him exceptional at hunting terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war. But to catch him, Cooper will have to violate everything he believes in and betray his own kind.
9 times out of ten, where there’s a Will there’s a way but are you all excited after the lacklustre space crash that was After Earth? Let us know…
