Will and Jaden Smith: Like father, like son when it comes to pushing your movies
Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Long established as one of the most potent forces in Hollywood, Will Smith now insists on coming with an added twist: namely his teenage son and current co-star, Jaden.
Promoting their new film, After Earth, the Will and Jaden roadshow has hit London in recent days, hammering home the new family double act with inevitable vigour. Jaden, 14, already boasts a career of his own, most notably taking the lead role in the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid. But Will and Jaden? This is a potentially tougher sell and Smith senior is pulling out all the stops to seal the deal – and he of course has plenty of stops to pull.
The pair were seen showboating with fellow shy-and-retiring type Boris Johnson in the Mayor’s office, and delivering a lively turn on Graham Norton’s chat show. Many of Norton’s fans will have briefly died a little inside when the savvy Irishman was obliged to suggest the Smith boys perform a “spontaneous” rap. As they confidently grabbed the microphones and broke into the first of four numbers, spontaneity was the one thing that didn’t come to mind.
Now 44, the one-time Fresh Prince of Bel-Air seeks to combine his trademark funny and irreverent public demeanour of old with a new faux disapproval of his cocksure Mini-Me, ready to slap him down gently when he feels junior’s rawer anecdotal skills need steering in the right direction.
Like I say, a tougher sell. I also wouldn’t bet against them.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments