Will Smith to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Resistor’ From Sony Pictures

By Ethan Shanfeld

June 18, 2024

Following the success of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” Will Smith is teaming up again with Sony Pictures for the sci-fi thriller “Resistor,” based on Daniel Suarez’s 2014 novel “Influx.”

The movie hails from Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Tony Shaw of Escape Artists, which has been developing the project for years alongside Smith and Jon Mone through Westbrook. Heather Washington is executive producing, and Dave Wilson is a producer.

“Bullet Train” scribe Zak Olkewicz wrote the first draft, while Eric Singer (“Top Gun: Maverick,” “American Hustle”) penned the latest draft. The film is in development and currently in search of a director.

The plot of the film is under wraps, but “Influx” takes place in a dystopian society in which the government uses shady tactics to prevent technological advancement.

Smith’s latest effort with Sony Pictures, the fourth installment in the action comedy franchise “Bad Boys,” has collected $113 million and counting at the domestic box office, and $215.5 million globally. The franchise recently crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office.

Those box office results marked a big win for Smith, whose career was in jeopardy after he slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars. In fact, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” nods to that infamous moment with a scene in which Martin Lawrence repeatedly slaps Smith in the face to get him back into his “bad boy” self. Variety‘s Angelique Jackson wrote a column examining why the reference “may save [Smith’s] career.”

Smith is repped by CAA and Overbrook Entertainment.

Deadline broke the news.