When it comes to the 2017 Oscars, big screen veteran Will Smith doesn’t seem too optimistic about scoring a nomination for his leading role in Collateral Beauty.
“There was a time in my life when box office was everything and if you didn’t get nominated you’re under the bed for three weeks and all of that,” Smith, who famously boycotted the 2016 Oscars, said on ITV’s “Lorraine” on Thursday, Dec. 15. “It’s always fun to be invited to the party, but that’s all it can be.”
On Monday, Smith shared a similar sentiment at the film’s premiere in New York City, telling Variety, “I am a little bit beyond that at this point in my life.” Adding that, “Anytime that anyone likes it, I will take that.” As director David Frankel pointed out, Collateral Beauty is about more than competing for awards season glory. “I hope that people feel a desire to reconnect with their loved ones,” he said. “I think it’s rare that you get to make a movie that has an opportunity to help people and it’s fun to know that people might reconnect and reach out and hug their kids.”
In spite of it all, the Hollywood patriarch only had good things to say about the film where he plays a father who grieves the loss of his 6-year-old daughter. “He writes these three letters: He writes one to Love, one to Time and one to Death. In his deteriorated mental state, he mails the letters, and then Love, Time and Death respond,” he explained on “Lorraine”. “I thought that was beautiful conceit for a film, so I was in at that point.”
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The actor, 48, went on to reveal that the film itself provided an avenue of comfort and healing as he “was dealing with the impending loss of my father.” Previously reported, Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher, shared the sad news via Instagram, posting a brief tribute to her former father-in-law in early November. The former couple share a son, Trey, 23.
On the flip side, Smith’s co-star Naomie Harris has much to celebrate at the close of 2016. In case you missed it, Moonlight was recently nominated for Best Motion Picture (Drama) at the 2017 Golden Globes. Harris also received a Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nomination. Two days later, the Brit beauty entered the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role race when the 2017 SAG Awards nominations were announced. “We’re going to celebrate tomorrow and just have an amazing time. I’m so over the moon,” she said on “Lorraine,” alongside Smith. “It’s a tiny movie with no publicity budget, so it’s incredible that it’s done so well.”
Collateral Beauty is in theaters Friday. Will you be watching? Sound off in the comment section below.
