Will Smith To Lead ‘The City That Sailed’ Or New ‘Men In Black’ Sequel Next

Will Smith is set to end his acting hiatus lining up two projects as a potential follow up to 2008’s critically slammed, “Seven Pounds.”

According to Variety, Smith will next star in either Sony’s third installment of the “Men In Black” franchise or Fox’s fantasy-adventure pic “The City That Sailed,” which was previously set to reunite Smith with his “I Am Legend” helmer, Francis Lawrence.

“The City That Sailed” was scribed by Andrew Niccol (“The Truman Show,” “Gattaca”) and centers on a girl in London who causes Manhattan to break away and drift across the Pond after having her wish to be reunited with her street magician father granted by magical candles in a lighthouse. One draw which may entice Smith onto this is a potential teaming with his daughter who, at the age of 9, may be suitable for the role of Smith’s fictional and real-life offspring ala his son Jaden Smith in “The Pursuit Of Happyness.” Either way, it does look like Lawrence is now off the project, presumably busy with “Water For Elephants” starring Robert Pattinson, Christina Ricci and Christoph Waltz.

Alternatively on the plate for Smith is the third ‘Men In Black’ film. The project is being penned by “Tropic Thunder” scribe Etan Cohen and has Smith on board sans partner-in-crime Tommy Lee Jones who is unlikely to return. In his place may be Josh Brolin who is reportedly being considered to play a younger Jones in the story which will center on Smith’s character going back in time. Sasha Baron Cohen and Jemanine Clement have also been linked to roles.

Both projects are admittedly uninspired choices for arguably the most bankable actor in the world but we guess he’d want to ease back into it after putting on his producer hat for the last three years. A Niccol-scribed fantasy project does sound like it has more potential but we wouldn’t be surprised if the money-spinner ‘MIB3’ took precedence. As long as he doesn’t follow it with “Bad Boys 3” that’s in the works…