Previously published: Will Smith is set to produce a film adaptation of Sharmeen Obaid-novel Chinoy’s “Brilliance,” in which she will make her narrative feature directorial debut. Obaid-Chinoy, a four-time Emmy winner, most recently directed Episodes 4 and 5 of the Disney+ series “Ms. Marvel.” The film version of Marcus Sakey’s novel is being produced by Paramount Pictures and has been labeled a “passion project” for Oscar winner Smith and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, with whom he has previously collaborated on “I, Robot,” “I Am Legend,” and “Hancock.”
The plot revolves around Nick Cooper, a federal agent for the Department of Analysis and Response who is entrusted with tracking down the 1% of non-neurotypical people known as “abnorms,” or “brilliants,” who are born with special abilities. In a “Blade Runner”-style twist, the character Nick is the father of a brilliant daughter and also an abnormal himself. He has the capacity to look into the future and eventually attempt to avert a civil war.
Smith is producing the film with Jon Mone and Ryan Shimazaki through his company, Westbrook Studios. Goldsman and Greg Lessans of Weed Road Pictures are producing, together with Shane Salerno of The Story Factory and James Lassiter. Marcus Sackey, the author of the novel “Brilliance,” is also a co-producer. Sackey later wrote the follow-up novels “A Better World” and “Written in Fire,” paving the way for a film trilogy.
Obaid-Chinoy directed the Academy Award-winning documentary shorts “Saving Face” and “A Girl in the River” earlier this year. Smith’s post-Oscars slap career has been put on hold after he was barred from the Academy for hitting presenter Chris Rock onstage. Smith has apologized. His AppleTV+ film “Emancipation,” directed by Antoine Fuqua and previously considered an Oscar candidate, is expected to be released this December. There is no set release date. “I’ve been doing a lot of thought and personal work over the last several months,” the “King Richard” singer stated in the onscreen text during an apologetic video in July 2022. Smith admitted to being “fogged out” at the Oscars after assaulting Rock.