Will Smith has locked in a new chapter for his Hollywood career, signing a first-look, multi-picture deal with Paramount Pictures through his company Westbrook.
According to Deadline, the move marks a major shift for the Oscar-winning actor, who previously worked under a long-running deal with Sony.
The partnership comes on the heels of Paramount’s merger with Skydance, a change that has already brought high-profile talent into the fold. Under the agreement, Smith and Westbrook will focus on creating global, four-quadrant theatrical releases—projects that appeal to a wide audience while also carrying franchise potential.
Two projects are already on deck. The first, Sugar Bandits, is a Boston-set thriller based on Chuck Hogan’s novel Devils in Exile. The story follows a former Special Forces soldier who forms a vigilante squad determined to dismantle the city’s drug trade. Smith is expected to headline the film, which is positioned as a potential franchise starter.
The second, Rabbit Hole, comes from screenwriter Jon Spaihts, best known for Dune. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is also being developed as a high-concept vehicle for Smith, in line with Paramount’s strategy of building event-level films with international appeal.
Westbrook will now operate directly from Paramount’s Hollywood lot, signaling the studio’s investment in making Smith a central part of its theatrical slate. “This agreement gives Will and Westbrook the platform to bring big stories to the global stage,” a Paramount insider shared.
Paramount’s leadership has been aggressive in drawing top-tier talent. Just last month, the Duffer Brothers—creators of Stranger Things—signed their own four-year pact with the studio after years at Netflix. Paramount has also been expanding its portfolio with acquisitions like Call of Duty and projects like High Side, the Timothée Chalamet–James Mangold collaboration.
Smith, represented by CAA, now joins that growing roster as Paramount bets on star-driven franchises to fuel its theatrical future.