Will Smith teams with 'Miami Vice' director on 'Empire'

Will Smith:
Oscar-bound?It's a bit early for me to make an Oscar prediction, considering this movie hasn’t been filmed yet, but I expect great things from “Empire.”

Variety reports Michael Mann will direct Will Smith in this forthcoming film from Columbia Pictures.

Smith will reportedly play a contemporary media mogul, and that's all the information out there on what the movie will be about.

But John Logan, who wrote both “Gladiator” and “The Aviator,” is penning this. Considering how awesome both of those epics were, I'm guessing “Empire” will be equally compelling.

Director Michael Mann has a lengthy list of cool crime dramas and thrillers to his credit: “Miami Vice,” “Collateral,” “Heat” and “Manhunter” to name a few.

But, Mann also has demonstrated a fascination with the inner workings of the corporate world and mass media. His 1999 film, “The Insider” cast Al Pacino as the “60 Minutes” producer who broke a huge tobacco industry scandal.

“The Insider” received seven Academy Award nominations. “Gladiator” and “The Aviator” won five Oscars apiece.

Will Smith is a gifted and versatile actor with two Oscar noms to his name, one of which was for his last team-up with director Mann in “Ali.”

Considering the strong team behind “Empire,” don’t be surprised if Smith finally brings home the gold.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)