Will Smith at the opening night of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Courtesy of Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
Will Smith spoke about the sequel to “I Am Legend” during his appearance at the third Red Sea International Film Festival on Saturday, sharing many insights into his state of mind, his past and his future.
The actor, who said he once thought he would become a scientist because he always enjoyed figuring things out, used this as a segue to poke a little fun at himself as he spoke at the event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “I love puzzles, I love problems. Yeah, so I started making my own problems. Life is going too well.”
That was read in the room as a reference to the 2022 Academy Awards, where he won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in “King Richard,” but after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head on stage, he gave one to host Chris Rock a shameful slap in the face. Controversy ensued, and Smith apologized and expressed regret.
“I made a lot of mistakes,” Smith admitted Saturday. “We love your mistakes,” a woman in the audience shouted back. And the star shared that he has Quincy Jones as a trusted advisor and mentor. “Quincy always made himself available,” Smith said. “He wants me to win as a person. He’s dedicated to me as a person, not just as an artist.”
“Fame is a unique monster,” Smith also told the crowd, which was clearly full of fans. “You can’t get too excited when people say good things about you.” Because then when people say bad things about you, you struggle and suffer even more. “I have to be clear about who I am and what I want to achieve in the world. And I don’t need others applauding me so I can stay focused on my mission. …I want you to be well. And at the same time I am deeply human. And I am perfecting my virtue.”
Smith recalled that his career goals changed from an academic focus when he first heard “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang in 1978 or 1979. “I knew I wanted to do whatever that art form was in front of people,” he recalled. “Rap music was the first real entertainment that sparked my desire.”
The star also answered many other questions in an ‘In Conversation’ session at the Vox Cinema complex in the city’s Red Sea Mall, including on various experiences and stages in his career. Fans who had purchased tickets for the event began lining up well before the event began.
Smith’s arrival on stage after a climax that drew repeated applause, particularly for a scene in which the star portrayed the ghost in “Aladdin,” sparked an enthusiastic outburst from the audience. The audience then greeted Smith, who entered the theater up a flight of stairs, with cheers, cheers, high-fives and countless selfies. A woman was so overwhelmed after jumping up and getting a high-five that she hugged a friend and screamed, “Oh my God.”
Smith was very grateful and thanked the audience, some in Arabic. “That was fantastic, thank you. Shukran, Shukran!”
Smith had already brought high-profile stars with him to the opening of the third edition of the Saudi festival on Thursday, was surrounded by selfie hunters and posed for many.
On Saturday, the star called love “the central human theme” and “the central cinematic theme,” adding: “It’s absolutely universal.” “Hitch,” for example, is about love and dealing with others, including with the characters Smith and Kevin James, he said.
Smith’s summary of the two core plots of films: It’s either about someone who wants something and does it against all odds. Or it’s about someone falling into a hole and trying to get out. If they succeed, it’s a happy ending. If not, it’s a dramatic ending.
Smith said, “Movies are about people trying to figure out how to live here without being unhappy.” For this reason, he considers people and their struggle to strive despite people’s “existential tragedy.” Starting point for the presentation of a film is more important than “cool things” that could happen in them.
Contributing to this perspective is a central focus of the actor’s life. “I am more stable. The most important thing in life for me is that I continually learn,” said Smith during his appearance. He said he studied religions, adding: “I studied the stories that endure for thousands of years.”
He also mentioned that a sequel to I Am Legend is in the works. “I have a conversation with Michael B. Jordan tomorrow,” Smith said, adding that the script for the film had just arrived. “That’s all I can tell you.” While his character dies in the first movie, Smith said the DVD included an alternate ending scene in the credits, showing that his character was actually alive. “So we’re sticking with the mythology of the DVD version that my character lived in,” Smith said. “I can’t tell you anything more.”
When asked about “Bad Boys,” Smith said it was a great example of how one plus one doesn’t always just make two, but rather “1+1=10.” Bad Boys 4, starring Smith and Martin Lawrence, is in the works at Sony Pictures, with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah returning as directors. The star said on Saturday that comedy was probably his most natural genre fit. “It’s a great way to make a living,” he said, but also stressed, “When you do a drama, you grow.”
What does Smith want to do next? “A film with Denzel!” shouted an audience member. Smith’s reaction: “A movie with Denzel Washington… in Saudi Arabia!” After cheers, he said, “I love it here,” before joking that he needed the audience to tell him where his Saudi house should be .
When a woman asked her how to make it to Hollywood and be successful, Smith replied, “What’s happening in Saudi Arabia is huge.” His recommendation? “Stay in Saudi Arabia and build your community.” He concluded: “What you can do in the next three to five years will be equivalent to any place on earth.”
Smith then said he really wants to teach now. “There is a style of global storytelling,” and he wants to work with people to help them optimize their stories so they can be successful around the world, he explained. “That’s why I’m looking forward to traveling the world, collaborating and building a global storytelling community.” Working in global collaborations enables an exchange of stories that “builds bridges” and “heals wounds,” he said. “I just don’t think politics will necessarily bring about change. Therefore, I transfer the burden to myself and the artists from all over the world.”
At the end of Saturday’s session, he summarized his goal for the next phase of his life as follows: “To perfect my light and let it shine.”
Just as the moderator was about to end the session, Smith jumped up and said he would answer a question from the audience or else. When I said the audience hadn’t seen Smith dance, the star joked that he couldn’t understand the question. After another round of photos and selfies among the enthusiastic crowd, Smith left to thunderous applause and said, “Thank you everyone. That was fantastic.”