WILL SMITH STARS IN ‘KING RICHARD,’ VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS BIOPIC
Will Smith starred as Richard Williams, the father and first tennis coach of Venus and Serena Williams, in the upcoming biopic King Richard.
King Richard tracks Richard Williams throughout the early and mid-1900s as he helps to coach the William sisters into tennis stars. The movie, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, focused on Richard’s drive to push his children to reach their full potential. Warner Bros. says King Richard “highlights one father’s relentless drive and unapologetic vision to change the game.”
After the film made its debut last Thursday, critics shared their first impressions. Critics had nothing but good things to say, leaving talk of Smith finally winning an Oscar circulating the internet. Smith is one of the most influential ’90s movie stars who has yet to win an Academy Award. If all goes well, the fresh prince will become the second Black man to be Oscar-nominated for acting and producing.
King Richard is an inspirational feel-great film that is certainly going to get a ton of awards attention. Will Smith delivers his best performance since the Pursuit of Happiness and don’t be surprised if Aunjanue Ellis gets a supporting actress nomination too. #KingRichard pic.twitter.com/W0J4Qj5YBK
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) September 3, 2021
KING RICHARD: Excellent film! A rousing, feel-good crowd-pleaser about the rise of tennis superstars Venus & Serena Williams! Oscar noms for #WillSmith (Lead Actor) & #AunjanueEllis (Supp Actress), maybe Best Pic! Loved from start to finish! @KingRichardFilm #Telluride pic.twitter.com/nvXbtDSA8h
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) September 3, 2021
'King Richard' is love. '#KingRichard' is family. The 'Rocky' of tennis movies. The 'Rocky' for every Black kid in the world. Will Smith's finest moments as an actor. Saniyya Sidney is proof the future for Black women in Hollywood is bright. Welcome to the Oscar Race! #Telluride pic.twitter.com/NckEOf0rbl
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) September 3, 2021
Venus and Serena Williams serve as executive producers on the project. “It’s really about my dad and how he literally changed the game and how this started,” said Venus in an interview on Kelly Clarkson’s daytime talk show. “He’s a revolutionary kind of person. I love him to death.”
To make things even better, Beyoncé wrote and recorded a song titled ‘Be Alive’ featured in the movie. We haven’t received any new music from the superstar in quite some time. Still, her contribution to the film suggests she’s next up for an Academy Award for the track and an Oscar performance in 2022.
The film will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on November 19th.
