Will Smith Takes on FBI Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’ This Summer as Amazon Acquires Global Rights from Miramax

EXCLUSIVE: Will Smith is set to star in the upcoming action-thriller Supermax, directed by David Gordon Green. The film centers on two FBI agents probing a murder that occurs within the world’s most secure prison.

Amazon MGM Studios has agreed to a deal valued at approximately $70 million for the worldwide rights to this Miramax project. Notably, this marks Smith’s first non-franchise studio release in several years, with plans for it to be a streaming offering rather than a theatrical debut.

The casting process is ongoing, particularly for the female counterpart of Smith’s FBI agent role, with production expected to begin in mid-August. The screenplay is penned by David Weil and David J. Rosen, both recognized for their contributions to the television series Hunters and Invasion. The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman are producing, alongside Smith and Adam Fishbach from Westbrook. The deal was facilitated by CAA Media Finance.

Although there were discussions about showcasing the project at the Cannes market, the studio took decisive action to finalize the deal ahead of time. This move reflects Amazon’s confidence not only in the project but also in Smith, particularly in light of the box office success of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, which released two years post the actor’s Oscar incident. In the past four years, this has been his sole film. Historically, Smith is regarded as one of the most reliable leading men in the industry, especially for non-franchise films—his domestic average box office over his career exceeds $120 million.

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Green, who has recently found success with various entries in the Halloween franchise, will tackle his largest budget film to date with Supermax. His latest work includes directing the Amazon TV series Scarpetta.

In addition to Weil and Rosen, who will serve as executive producers, Natalie Laine Williams holds the associate producer role. Executives from Miramax, including CEO Jonathan Glickman and President of Film Alexandra Loewy, will also contribute as executive producers.

The Picture Company is concurrently working on Tyrant, which marks David Weil’s feature directorial debut. That thriller stars Charlize Theron, Julia Garner, and Demi Moore. The company has also secured Mark Wahlberg for the action thriller The Operator at Netflix. Supermax represents another collaboration between Green and co-writer Rosen, who previously connected on the Apple TV series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Weil is also scripting a film for Evan Gershkovich and the action film Extraction 3 featuring Chris Hemsworth for Netflix.

Will Smith is represented by CAA, Westbrook, and Sloane, Offer.