Paramount Photos signed a first-look deal for a number of films with Will Smith and his firm Westbrook. The settlement features a growth dedication for theatrical movies geared toward international audiences, many positioned as franchise-starters that includes Smith.
Will Smith and his manufacturing firm signal multi-picture Paramount deal
Two films already confirmed for Will Smith are Sugar Bandits and Rabbit Gap, with Westbrook relocating its base and artistic operations to the Paramount lot in Hollywood.
The thriller Sugar Bandits, tailored from Chuck Hogan’s novel Devils in Exile, is centered round a former Particular Forces soldier who leads a vigilante squad to dismantle Boston’s drug commerce. Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts is writing the second mission, Rabbit Gap, although the plot stays undisclosed. Paramount describes each movies as high-concept, four-quadrant options with franchise potential. (by way of Deadline)
The deal follows Paramount’s July 2025 merger with Skydance. The merger introduced new management beneath David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Josh Greenstein. Since then, the studio has pursued main expertise acquisitions, together with a four-year pact with Stranger Issues creators the Duffer Brothers. It additionally added the Timothée Chalamet-led heist thriller Excessive Facet. Paramount additional obtained the rights to adapt a characteristic movie based mostly on Activision’s Name of Obligation franchise.
Will Smith’s partnership with Paramount marks a shift after a long time of collaboration with Sony. At Sony, he headlined franchises like Males in Black and Dangerous Boys. Smith and Paramount additionally labored collectively on Gemini Man and Anchorman 2. His new pact alerts a return to theatrical-first filmmaking, aligning with Hollywood’s concentrate on IP-driven franchise era and positioning him for future blockbuster alternatives.
CAA represents each Smith and Westbrook within the settlement. Paramount goals to increase its annual theatrical output to as many as 20 movies. The studio positions the Smith-Westbrook deal as a part of its broader technique. It goals to construct long-term international franchises beneath its new possession.
