The Plot Revealed!
Director M. Night Shyamalan has teamed up with father-son duo, Will and Jaden Smith, for the all new and original sci-fi, After Earth. The last we heard of Shyamalan’s latest project, the Smiths were filming on set. We also got a glimpse of Jaden’s all black space getup — the only detail to date of what we could expect come next year. No one knew for sure of the plot line, but today, Shyamalan revealed the official synopsis for After Earth. Check it out below:
In After Earth, one thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (played by Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.
Jaden Smith Takes the Reigns
As we all know, Will won’t join a project unless he whole heartedly believes in the character and the story. He also won’t join a film if it damages his reputation. A year ago Will was considered for Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, and it was rumored that Will didn’t take the role due to the R-rating, which could’ve damaged his wholesome reputation. However, this rumor was laid to rest when the father of three sat down with Empire last month:
“I came really close, it was one of the most amazing screenplays I had ever ever seen,” Smith said. “I was in the middle of ‘Men In Black 3′ and [Tarantino] was ready to go, and I just couldn’t sit with him and get through the issues, so I didn’t want to hold him up. That thing’s going to be ridiculous. It is a genius screenplay.”
With that being said, the Smiths’ involvement could be the first signs of a strong script with an even better storyline. Will’s name is no doubt a box-office draw. In 2008, Hancock blew everyone’s expectations and broke several box-office records. But unlike The Pursuit of Happiness, this time around Jaden will take the lead, and Will, playing his father, will take the back seat. The synopsis gives some hint to a coming-of-age story, where Jaden’s character learns a lot about being a soldier and becoming a man. I didn’t get a chance to see the reboot of Karate Kid, but one thing’s for sure, Jaden has spunk and charisma, two elements that could carry the film along quite nicely. Only time will tell if the 13 year-old actually has a passion for acting, or if he’s just following in his father’s footsteps.
Will ‘After Earth’ Bring Shyamalan A New Following?
The mid 2000s weren’t very kind to M. Night Shyamalan. In 1999, The Sixth Sense, his most successful film according to critics and fans, skyrocketed this newcomer to the top of Hollywood’s up-and-coming directors. Stuart Little hit and proved that he had a soft spot and directorial eye for children’s films. But it was the early 2000s when the waves of mixed reviews started rolling in. From 2004′s The Village to 2010′s The Last Airbender, the director, once known for his unique style and refreshing plot twists, started loosing fans. Shyamalan’s name, once a box office draw, became a reason not to see his films. One can only hope that After Earth will put Shyamalan back in the game. People are questioning whether or not Shyamalan is riding on Will and Jaden’s coattails for the film’s financial security at the box office. I doubt that’s the case, but having the Smith’s name attached surely doesn’t hurt.
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Will & Jaden Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Zoe Kravitz, and Sophie Okonedo, After Earth hits theaters June 7th, 2013.
Loading ...
