Will Smith in EIGHT FIGURE bidding war to turn his life story into a hit movie
WILL SMITH is nominated for Best Actor for his role in King Richard at tomorrow’s Baftas – and could soon be returning with his own biopic.
I can reveal he is at the centre of a bidding war for the rights to turn his life story into a movie, following the release of memoir Will last year.
Several streaming services are fighting to secure the go-ahead to make the film and he is looking at an eight-figure sum for the rights.
A source said: “Some feared that Will’s brutal honesty in his book could harm his reputation.
“But it’s done the opposite and helped him connect with his audience like never before.
“When he signed his book deal he did so with an accompanying biopic in mind.
“Now all the streaming services are clamouring to pick up the rights. The bidding war means he can command a huge amount of money so he’s weighing up his options to work out which one will handle his life story with the most care.
“The book was really successful because it told his inspirational, but at times really challenging, story.
“Given it will be so personal, it’s a sensitive thing for Will. He wants to make sure it’s done the right way and isn’t something that gets rushed out, regardless of the money.”
His book, which came out in November, charted his rise from a child in West Philadelphia to becoming a chart-topping rapper and an actor capable of smashing box office records.
It also deals with his personal turmoil, including issues with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and his children.
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Will is not expected to attend tomorrow’s ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
He is shooting the second series of his Disney+ show Welcome To Earth, in Guatemala.
Despite an acting career spanning more than 30 years, it is his first Bafta nomination.
He is in the running after playing coach Richard Williams, the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena, in the biopic.
Will faces competition from Stephen Graham, Adeel Akhtar, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mahershala Ali and Leonardo DiCaprio.
If he does win, it would be perfect timing. What better way to end his own film.
