Will Smith's A-list Christmas dramedy "Collateral Beauty" doesn't open until December 16, but he already has us hooked. He talked to Entertainment Weekly for their Fall Movie Preview issue, saying the "huuuuuge spoilers" in the "delicately framed" story make it hard to promote.
According to EW, the movie -- which co-stars Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, and Keira Knightley -- stars Will Smith as Howard Inlet, whose life is shattered after a personal tragedy. "It's a little bit 'It's a Wonderful Life' and a little bit 'The Wizard of Oz," Smith said. The story follows his character as he puts his life back together, but with some "interesting mystical elements." Smith added, "It's a smart, funny, and heartwarming Christmas story about reclaiming one's life and love."
Since it was a small movie, Smith said, the high-profile cast all cut their usual fees, "because they were excited about the material and working together, so it was really a labor of love. It was really great, a really special time in my life."
What was so great about the film that made him want to sign on? That's when Smith dropped his sucker punch ending tease:
"Every one in a while you get a screenplay and by page 10 you are in. You just go, 'OK, I'm making this one.' Also, this film has one of the best endings of any film I've ever been a part of. It just sucker punches you out of nowhere. It's that rare combination of being hilarious and also deeply profound."
Sounds good so far, but "Collateral Beauty" opens up on the same day as "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," and Smith -- who knows from blockbuster openings -- realizes he's on the losing side of this one. "Uh, yes," he told EW. "They call that counterprogramming. I call it getting smashed on Christmas."
We're on standby for the first trailer for "Collateral Beauty," directed by David Frankel, which Warner Bros. is releasing on December 16.
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