'Gemini Man': Will Smith takes on 'Fresh Prince'-era Will Smith in first trailer for sci-fi thriller


Blockbuster cinema’s current love for de-aging effects continues, as Will Smith is set to battle his younger self in Ang Lee’s new sci-fi Gemini Man.

Fans got the chance to take a first look at the Life of Pi director’s new thriller with a trailer, released today, in which Smith’s elite assassin is pursued by a mysterious operative who turns out to be a younger version of himself.

Read more: Joe Carnahan left Bad Boys 3 over Smith clashes

The film also stars the likes of Clive Owen, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong.

Footage from Gemini Man recently premiered at the CinemaCon event and received an ecstatic reaction from those in attendance.

Will Smith has been digitally de-aged for his new role in Ang Lee’s sci-fi thriller ‘Gemini Man’. (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Will Smith has been digitally de-aged for his new role in Ang Lee’s sci-fi thriller ‘Gemini Man’. (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

In a statement accompanying the trailer, Lee said the film represents “Will at his very best” and added that “when the two [characters] come together, it is something truly magical”.

The 64-year-old director has become synonymous with advanced special effects work since he won the Oscar for Best Director in 2013 for Life of Pi.

His previous film was 2016 drama Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which was the first feature film to shoot in 120 frames per second – five times the standard rate of 24fps which is familiar to cinemagoers.

Kill Will… The Fresh Prince takes on Uncle Phil in the first poster for <i>Gemini Man</i> (Paramount)
Kill Will… The Fresh Prince takes on Uncle Phil in the first poster for Gemini Man (Paramount)

The extensive de-aging work on Smith is his latest act of technological boundary-pushing and, based on the trailer, the effect is receiving mixed reviews.

Smith has found himself at the centre of another CGI controversy in recent weeks as fans have criticised the design of his take on the genie in Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin remake.

Early glimpses of the character were ridiculed on social media, and have continued to tickle the funny bones of film fans with each subsequent trailer.

Read more: Smith thinks those blue genie memes are funny

Smith will be hoping that Gemini Man will help people to forget some of his more poorly reviewed recent films, which have seen his leading man power wane.

Gemini Man will be released in cinemas in October 2019.