We won't mention Suicide Squad in this article. Well, we won't mention it again. The first trailer for Collateral Beauty dropped Wednesday, showing Will Smith back in emotional drama mode alongside Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, and Michael Peña. The film, directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Hope Springs), boasts the unique distinction of being brave enough to go head-to-head with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story this December.
Collateral Beauty, which stars Smith as a formerly charming ad executive on a massive downward spiral following some unnamed tragedy, has endured a troubled path to release. As Collidernoted, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl helmer Alfonso Gomez-Rejon was originally set to direct. When he dropped out due to "creative differences," Frankel stepped in. But that isn't the only major change-up the movie had to overcome.
Just before the film switched directors, Hugh Jackman was attached to star in the film. With Mr. Wolverine officially out of the picture, the movie briefly vied for Johnny Depp to slide into the role before zeroing in on Smith. If that all sounds like kind of a mess, here's some comfort: the movie does boast an award-winning producer from the superb Spotlight.
Smith has been speaking very candidly about his illustrious career in recent interviews, even telling the Hollywood Reporter back in June that the maligned Wild Wild West was a total misfire for all involved parties. "I had so much success that I started to taste global blood and my focus shifted from my artistry to winning," Smith said of that era of his career. "I wanted to win and be the biggest movie star, and what happened was there was a lag—around Wild Wild West time—I found myself promoting something because I wanted to win versus promoting something because I believed in it."
Collateral Beauty, which is indeed nothing at all like Wild Wild West, opens Dec. 16.
