“Will Smith Sci-Fi Movies List”
Will Smith has established himself as a major Hollywood star over the last few decades. He is best known for his roles in romantic comedies and action-packed thrillers but his expansive body of work also includes some great sci-fi movies. Here we take a look at a few of his most memorable appearances in the sci-fi genre.
I, Robot
One of the most successful of Will Smith’s sci-fi movies is I, Robot. This adaptation of the classic novel of the same name was released in 2004 and saw Smith star as Detective Del Spooner who is tasked with investigating a murder that appears to have been committed by a robot. Despite its fantasy elements, I, Robot has science fiction at its core and Smith excels in his role as the detective who is struggling to accept the rise of an increasingly powerful and intelligent robotic species.
Men in Black
Released in 1997, Men in Black was a huge box office hit and also spawned a franchise of two sequels and a spin-off. Smith plays Agent J, an agent of the Men in Black agency who is tasked with keeping extra-terrestrial creatures secreted away from humanity. With a blend of action, comedy and science fiction, Smith is perfectly cast as an affable yet uptight agent and he is ably supported by the comedic timing of Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Starring Smith and his son, Jayden, The Pursuit of Happyness is not strictly sci-fi but it is a film with clear science fiction themes. Smith plays Chris Gardner, a single father who is trying to build a business to support his family by pursuing a career in stockbroking. The film has a distinct science-fiction flavour with its themes of ambition and struggle against adversity making it a perfect choice for fans of Smith’s work.
After Earth
After Earth is perhaps Smith’s most ambitious foray into the sci-fi genre. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan and co-starring Smith’s son, Jaden, After Earth tells the story of a father and son who crash land on a distant planet that is uninhabited by humans. Smith plays Cipher Raige, the father who must find a way to save his son and return to Earth. With its exploration of complex issues around technology, nature and the power of the human spirit, After Earth is a compelling yet thought-provoking watch.
Hitch
Although primarily known as a romantic comedy, Hitch contains a good deal of science fiction elements. Smith stars as the titular character, a love guru who uses his knowledge of human psychology to help a hopeless romantic find the girl of his dreams. With its combination of fantasy and reality, Hitch is a fun and uplifting sci-fi movie and Smith is excellent in the lead role.
Hancock
The last of Smith’s sci-fi movies is Hancock, released in 2008. Smith stars as a superhero living in Los Angeles who starts to question why his powers may be necessary in order to save the people he is supposed to protect. Hancock is Smith’s most acclaimed performance in the genre and he proves that he can handle any type of role with effortless aplomb.
Robots
Robots are an integral part of science fiction. They often take on a human form and come equipped with artificial intelligence and the ability to think for themselves. Will Smith’s sci-fi movies tend to focus on the difficulties that humans can encounter when dealing with advanced robots. In I, Robot, Smith plays a detective tasked with investigating a possible crime involving a robot and in technological thrillers such as I, Robot, AI is a key theme.
Humanity & Technology
The idea of humanity and technology being in conflict with one another is a central theme in many of Will Smith’s sci-fi movies. In I, Robot, the main protagonist is a human detective whose job it is to investigate crimes involving robots that have been equipped with advanced artificial intelligence. In Hancock, Smith plays a superhuman who becomes increasingly aware of the potential dangers of his powers and in both After Earth and The Pursuit of Happyness, the idea of humans struggling against the forces of nature and technology is explored.
Exploration Of Alternative Worlds
When it comes to sci-fi movies, exploring alternative worlds is never far from the agenda. In Hancock and After Earth, Smith and his son, Jaden, respectively explore planets that are uninhabited by humans. In Hancock, Smith has to battle against evil forces in order to save a city from destruction and in After Earth, Smith and his son must find a way back to Earth following a crash landing on a distant planet.
Themes of Struggle & Sacrifice
Smith’s films often explore themes of struggle and sacrifice in order to succeed. In The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith’s character is faced with the challenge of trying to build a business while providing for his family and in After Earth, Smith’s character must make a number of difficult decisions in order to ensure that he and his son can return to Earth safely. Smith’s films demonstrate the power of the human spirit and its capacity for overcoming adversity no matter how difficult the situation.
Themes Of Family & Friendship
At the core of many of Will Smith’s sci-fi movies is the theme of family and friendship. In Men in Black, Smith’s character, Agent J, is aided in his battle against an alien menace by the friendship of his partner, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and in The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith plays a single father who is struggling to provide for his son. These films demonstrate the power of familial love and protectiveness that can conquer any obstacle.
The Wondrous Imagination Of Sci-Fi
Will Smith’s sci-fi movies demonstrate the power of the imagination when it comes to exploring new and exciting worlds. In I, Robot, Smith plays a detective exploring a possible crime involving robots and in After Earth, Smith and his son must find a way back to Earth following a crash landing on a distant planet. Smith never shies away from pushing the boundaries of conventional sci-fi and his films prove that the genre can be both thought-provoking and entertaining.
