The Robertson Treatment – Will Smith

"It's possible that at 33 years old, I have peaked. You know how some people are just born to do certain things? Michael Jordan was born to play basketball. Nature designed him for that. I just feel that this role, and the desire I had to depict this hero accuratelyŠ I can't imagine all of those things lining up the way that they lined up again." - Will Smith

Will Smith may believe he shot his wad with his astonishing portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the Paramount Pictures release, "Ali," but director Michael Mann sees this film as a mere springboard toward an acting future that can only get brighter and brighter with each role. Mann is not alone in his praise. Critics say Smith's work in "Ali" is his best ever, which comes as validation to Smith who was hesitant to even take on the role in the first place.

"The first time I met Ali, it was like, you're meeting a biblical figure," says Smith during a talk at the Essex House Hotel in New York City. "He was already aware that I'd had the script seven years ago, and I'd turned down the chance of playing him. So approaching him with that, I didn't know how he was gonna respond. I said, 'Champ, pleasure to meet you.' And he looked up at me and said, 'Man you almost pretty enough to play me.' That was our first meeting and we've been going back and forth with that for the past seven years."

"Ali" depicts ten years in the life of the heavyweight champ, beginning in 1964 with his win over Sonny Liston to snatch the heavyweight belt, and ending with the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle bout against George Forman in 1974. More than just a bio-pic about his boxing career, "Ali" delves into the social and spiritual events of the decade that helped shape and define his character. Capturing both the physical and spiritual development of Ali was a year-long commitment for Smith; an undertaking overseen by director Michael Mann.

"A huge part of why I took the film is that Michael Mann laid out essentially what he called the course syllabus for becoming Ali," says Smith. "The first step was physical. We trained for a good year before we actually started shooting, and Michael said that understanding the physical nature of Muhammad Ali, developing my body and actually being in the ring fighting, would lead into the mental and emotional side of Muhammad Ali and the comprehension of that emotional side. And the third tier was the spirituality."

The former Fresh Prince tapped into that spirituality by studying Ali's relationship with God. "The one thing that stands out for me from doing this film, and diving into Ali's understanding of the Nation of Islam and the understanding of his God, is that my relationship has to be directly with God. Muhammad Ali is a Muslim, but Muhammad Ali is a man of God. Ali is one of the few people who specifically stands out and says 'I am a Muslim' and is welcome anywhere. That's how I want to be. I want to be welcome everywhere as I think God would have it."

Will's eagerness for universal acceptance has fueled his many ambitions, from yearning to be as respected among his acting peers as Tom Cruise and Hanks, to possibly becoming the President of the United States someday. Sitting next to Michael Mann, Will says with a grin, "My dream is that one day, you'd have to ask Tom Cruise the same question that everyone asks me...what is it like to get a script after Will Smith has turned it down?" - Cherie Saunders

OTHERWISE ...
One of my favorite people, "The Parkers" star Monique celebrated her birthday this weekend in grand style with a blow-out shindig that attracted a bevy of stars, studio execs and other celestial personalities. The generous and loveable actress is well liked throughout Tinsletown, which attracted a capacity crowd to her birthday celebration. Monique's enjoyed an incredible winning streak this year, with a recent Best Acting Image Award nomination for her role in "Two Can Play That Game," a successful clothing line and her sold-out "Queens of Comedy" tour. May her blessings continue for many more years to come.

COME CELEBRATE WITH US: On November 11, 1996, the Robertson Treatment Syndicated Column made its debut in 12 national markets. Since the column has grown tremendously and it's now carried in over 30 markets with a readership that exceeds 12 million. To celebrate our 5 year milestone, we're offering videos of "The Brothers," "Two Can Play That Game" and "Baby Boy" to any reader who remembers what acting superstar was featured in our very 1st edition. So test your memory, but you had better hurry because this offer is only good through December 24th.

<<Back

Email us at: gilrobertson@robertsontreatment.com