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Will Smith Working On New Album, May Get New Film

Will Smith

First Posted: 08/19/11 12:13 PM ET Updated: 10/19/11 06:12 AM ET

There was a time, not so long ago, that Will Smith was the brash young star, selling millions of records and crossing over to charm audiences on television and in movies. The former Fresh Prince has spent the past few years ensuring that his two kids, Jaden and Willow, followed in his footsteps, and now, a few hair whips and karate kicks later, he's back to working on his own star.

Already in the midst of production on the third "Men In Black" film, word is that Smith is headed back to the music studio, as well.

"We're working on Will Smith, bringing him back. That's actually him on the other line right now," Lamar "Mars" Edwards told XXL Magazine by phone in a story that ran Thursday.

Having printed hit after hit in the late 80s and early 90s as part of the Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince duo, and then branching out into his own hip hop pop career with hits such as "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and "Miami," Smith hasn't put out an album since 2005's "Lost and Found," which touted his return to rapping and hip hop, as it had been three years since he had released an album.

In addition to the recording, word is that Smith is in early talks to join another new film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Night at the Museum" director Shawn Levy is working to secure Smith for a lead role in his remake of the 1966 sci-fi adventure movie, "Fantastic Voyage."

Although the absence hasn't been quite as pronounced as his musical interlude, Smith hasn't appeared in a film since a pair of pics in 2008, "Seven Pounds" and "Hancock."

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There was a time, not so long ago, that Will Smith was the brash young star, selling millions of records and crossing over to charm audiences on television and in movies. The former Fresh Prince has s...
There was a time, not so long ago, that Will Smith was the brash young star, selling millions of records and crossing over to charm audiences on television and in movies. The former Fresh Prince has s...
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Cakey4814
LuvBlogger
10:45 AM on 08/23/2011
I'm a Will Smith fan and will be waiting on his next film..
01:24 PM on 08/22/2011
i 've always liked will smith-liked alot of his movies but that scientology thing just makes me wonder what kind of person he really is
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Jacques Steen
Stop Warfare Against Working Stiffs !
03:41 PM on 08/22/2011
He's a fraud.
12:55 PM on 08/22/2011
will smith is fine in small doses. i find his wife rather crude and somewhat masculine behaving and his kids act like spoiled brats who seem to never have been told, "no" in their entire lives.
11:26 PM on 08/22/2011
Damn man can you say anything good about the Smiths?
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Mark Gunn
Prophet Of Rage !
06:49 AM on 08/22/2011
A lot of people slept on "Lost & Found". it was a clear departure from the fun loving happy rapper everyone knew. This project had some really biting social commentary and is really worth a listen if you can get your hands on it.
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Hugo Stiglitz1
11:41 PM on 08/21/2011
Comeback? From earning 31 million last year???
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AyeChart
Retired Army, half-retired physician
05:36 PM on 08/21/2011
He projects a very likable persona on film and does not do a bad job at all at the acting stick.

I've heard his records, but I've never heard him sing.  Can he sing? We know Sean Puffy Combs can't sing, as he tried it on the Broadway stage and couldn't. But can Will Smith actually sing?  I'm waiting.
10:08 AM on 08/22/2011
Well If you heard "his records" before as you claim you d know that he s not a singer. Puffy is not a singer either.
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Dr Confuso
Australian/American Broadcast veteran...
09:17 AM on 08/21/2011
He and his BFF Tom Cruise, probably have dreams of ruling the world someday...based on nothing more than their cheesey smiles.
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1088
03:02 AM on 08/21/2011
I still love to watch INDEPENDENCE DAY the movie!
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AyeChart
Retired Army, half-retired physician
06:18 PM on 08/21/2011
It's a fine movie, a president who can lead the country, and Will Smith does a very creditable job.  One might even say he makes the movie.

With MIB, it's a tossup between him and Tommy Lee Jones.  Both are great in their parts.

I loved Linda Fiorentino as the pathologist in the morgue.  I hoped she'd be a partner in the MIB2.  Not to be.  What a sexy woman, and funny, too, and can be very dangerous also.
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Jacques Steen
Stop Warfare Against Working Stiffs !
11:43 AM on 08/22/2011
Yesterday.

Today Smif leads his family as CULTISTS.
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Said One
02:09 AM on 08/21/2011
Have always loved Will Smith as an actor and rapper
11:34 PM on 08/20/2011
Alright as much as I Will's movies, I am no fanbof his music post 2000, Switch was one of the worst songs ever, I was even joking about it last week. Not too enthusiastic about MIB 3 either, dude needs to drop the hero act and become a bad guy at least once or twice before he retires. To the people saying he can't act, he does have two Oscar noms or do only wins count?
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Mark Gunn
Prophet Of Rage !
06:50 AM on 08/22/2011
you didn't see "Six Degrees Of Separation" did you. There's a bad guy for ya !
04:54 PM on 08/22/2011
I have seen it, but I can't say I was much of a fan of it. I meant in a film since he's been a bit box office grabber, that one might have been overlooked by some people. I'm surprised you could read that comment after I somehow butchered the hell out of it.
11:29 PM on 08/20/2011
wow what a great guy .hits it big and slowly but surely he leaves his "Friends in the dust. I hope you are doing ok Jazzy Jeff . Maybe you are better off
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knickkfan
N.Y. Knicks 2012- infinity champions
12:22 AM on 08/21/2011
Jazzy Jeff and will smith still work with each other and jazzy jeff was busy in his own right launching Jill Scott and floetry.
09:33 AM on 08/22/2011
He also gave Jazzy a recurring role in "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air." At some point Jazzy Jeff had to take responsibility for himself -- he couldn't always rely on Will to carry him.
08:19 PM on 08/20/2011
Will Smith is the man, end of story. Even though I think Jada would have been better off with me. I can make superstar babie too. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!
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bradenton
08:17 PM on 08/20/2011
I don't know about you but I'm sick to death of Will Smith and his brood.
10:29 AM on 08/22/2011
I feel the same about bradenton... I m just bored to death to read his tr0ll comments
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Jacques Steen
Stop Warfare Against Working Stiffs !
11:44 AM on 08/22/2011
I'm sick of $ciento-Bot apologists minding Smif's back.
11:50 AM on 08/22/2011
I agree, they come off as pompous and out of touch with reality .
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03:47 PM on 08/20/2011
I clicked this article with a little enthusiasm when I saw Men In Black again my happy left.I am not even going to entertain the thought of a successful recording.