Will Smith is stepping into a new era of his Hollywood journey, landing a first-look, multi-picture deal with Paramount Pictures through his production company, Westbrook.
Per Deadline, the deal signals a big shift for the Oscar-winning star, who had been under a long-standing partnership with Sony.
The new deal follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance, a move that’s already attracted major names to the studio. Under the agreement, Smith and Westbrook will focus on producing global, four-quadrant theatrical releases—films designed to reach broad audiences while carrying strong franchise potential.
Two projects are already in motion. The first, Sugar Bandits, is a Boston-set thriller adapted from Chuck Hogan’s novel Devils in Exile. It centers on a former Special Forces soldier who forms a vigilante crew to take down the city’s drug trade. Smith is set to star, with the film being eyed as a possible franchise launch.
The second, Rabbit Hole, comes from Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts. While plot details remain under wraps, it’s being developed as another high-concept vehicle for Smith, aligning with Paramount’s push for big event films with international reach.
As part of the deal, Westbrook will now be based directly on Paramount’s Hollywood lot—a clear sign of the studio’s commitment to making Smith a cornerstone of its theatrical lineup. “This agreement gives Will and Westbrook the platform to bring big stories to the global stage,” a Paramount insider said.
Paramount has been moving aggressively to secure top creative talent. Just last month, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers signed a four-year pact with the studio after their long Netflix run. On top of that, Paramount has been bolstering its slate with acquisitions like Call of Duty and projects such as High Side, the upcoming Timothée Chalamet–James Mangold collaboration.
Represented by CAA, Smith now joins that roster as Paramount continues to bank on star-driven franchises to shape its theatrical future.
