Will Smith's 'After Earth' Apocalypse: Who Loses Most

This story first appeared in the June 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

The danger turned out to be very real as Sony Pictures' After Earth crashed at the box office in third place, the first time in two decades that a summer event film starring Will Smith failed to open at No. 1.

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Given the low $27.5 million domestic bow and 12 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, top executives at several rival studios estimate that if the film doesn't score big overseas, it could lose tens of millions. Sony insiders put the loss at about $20 million but rivals, not surprisingly, are guessing much higher. That puts a lot of pressure on the rest of Sony's summer, including Roland Emmerich's White House Down, Grown Ups 2, the comedy This Is the End, Smurfs 2 and Matt Damon's Elysium.

So who suffers most from the fallout? Competitors and talent representatives concur that faltering director M. Night Shyamalan will take the biggest hit, but Smith -- who conceived the project, produced it with wife Jada Pinkett Smith and cast son Jaden Smith as its co-star -- has the most to lose. Insiders agree that Smith's bulletproof image could be dinged by several factors:

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? Lack of Focus: A source who has worked with the CAA-repped Smith -- arguably the world's most bankable star -- says he has been less attuned to his movie career recently. Nearly four years passed between Seven Pounds and last summer's Men in Black 3. "One thing you've got to do as an actor is portfolio management," says this person. "Will went through a place where he didn't do a lot of movies, and none has been great." The bottom line: "He could still be highly successful, but it was automatic before. Now audiences will look more carefully."

? Off-Message Media: Smith, 44, and his 14-year-old son gave a joint interview to New York magazine that one prominent producer describes as "a jaw-dropper." Will Smith described himself as "a student of patterns," adding, "At heart, I'm a physicist." Even as the elder Smith described how visitors to his household would be surprised to find that it is "simple and basic," Jaden declared: "I like Cartier," noting "before that, it was Louis" (as in, Vuitton). And that type of coverage leads to …

? Less Fresh Prince and More Royal Prince: This began with buzz about Smith's behavior (and his gigantic trailer) during the making of MiB3. Says a prominent film exec who has worked with Smith: "That aw-shucks, incredibly charming, self-effacing spirit doesn't seem to play anymore. You can see it on talk shows. He's got that energy and positive attitude, but it doesn't have the same contagious quality." Another Smith associate believes such behavior takes a creative toll. "The control-freak stuff hits you," says this person. "You've got to listen to people. Movies don't do well when there's a hermetically sealed environment."

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? Family Issues: The Smith family's efforts to make stars of daughter Willow and Jaden might be too much, too soon. "The Barrymores got really close to what I see in my head for my family," Smith told the Associated Press. But execs and talent reps say making Jaden the lead in After Earth -- conceived as the first in a trilogy -- was a mistake. "What are you doing, putting your kid out there like that?" says a source. "Just because it's your DNA?"

? Scientology Taint: Smith has kept his links to the religion much quieter than has buddy Tom Cruise. But with After Earth, media reports and reviews, including The New York Times' pan of the film, described perceived Scientology themes. Smith told New York that he and his son are "students of world religion," but a prominent producer says After Earth "opened the door to this generally well-hidden [connection with] Scientology."

? He's an Expensive Taste: No one is writing off Smith, though some say he may have to accept lower fees. "His deal is an absolute impediment to making money for the studios," says a knowledgeable source, adding that for MiB3, he collected about $100 million of its $624 million gross. Warner Bros. chief Jeff Robinov, who has Smith in the upcoming Winter's Tale and the in-development Focus, says he is "really confident about Will. We all have movies that don't work, but at the end of the day, Will is incredibly talented."

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? Shyamalan Fallout: He was damaged before After Earth; he left CAA for WME in 2011, apparently partly in response to CAA's efforts to dissuade Smith from hiring him. One source says Shyamalan will have to try "very, very small, under-$10 million movies" and "just try to rebuild." He still has the Fox limited series Wayward Pines with Matt Dillon and Melissa Leo set for spring 2014.

? Sony's Damage: Most don't think After Earth will affect the thinking of the studio's parent, despite pressure by investor Dan Loeb to spin off assets. As for studio heads Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal, a producer calls After Earth "a justifiable decision." Smith goes back to Bad Boys in 1995 with Sony, and whatever his share of the MiB3 money, the film was the the highest grosser in the franchise. And Jaden's Karate Kid grossed $359 million in 2010. Says this producer: "You're backing a relationship [with Smith] that's been hugely successful."

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A Former Scientologist Reviews 'After Earth' (Guest Column)

I grew up in Scientology and worked at their international Sea Organization headquarters for 15 years. In 2005, I managed a desperate escape, which only succeeded thanks to the local county authorities. I wrote about my experiences in my best-selling book, Blown For Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology. 

Who better, then, to investigate the whole Scientology debate surrounding After Earth, the new sci-fi movie from M. Night Shyamalan starring Will and Jaden Smith, than a former Scientologist -- one who's received counseling from Tom Cruise himself? I am in no way “glib” on the subject; I’ve done the research.

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I saw the movie After Earth and took notes on any parallels or “coincidental” similarities to Scientology teachings. While most of the movie involves following Jaden Smith’s character as he faces off against apes, a large, angry bird and a leech, (none of which have much to do with Scientology -- besides maybe the leech), most of the Scientology influences play out in the film’s dialogue.

“Fear is a choice.”

Will Smith’s character, Cypher Raige, tells his son, Kitai: “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Now do not misunderstand me: Danger is very real. But fear is a choice”

L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings insist that emotions and fear are triggers and are part of the reactive mind. Through Scientology, one is supposed to “rid oneself of your fears.”

“Be in the present moment.”

Through Scientology training, one learns how to be in “present time,” or PT as it is commonly referred to by insiders. In order to operate as a higher being and be in control over one’s environment, it is considered key that a person exist in present time and not react to the past.

“What do you touch, see, feel, smell?”

While undergoing certain types of Scientology counseling, you are asked to recall what you see, hear, touch and smell. This is part of putting yourself in the moment and observing the moment with “full perceptions.”

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Besides the film's dialogue and its direct similarities to Scientology teachings, there are also some other clues in After Earth that cannot be ignored.

Volcanoes

The movie’s climax takes place on a volcano that could have been ripped right off the cover of Dianetics, the look is so similar. In Scientology, the volcano is a common thread through many different teachings. This image was used not only on the cover of Dianetics, but has also been used in many of Scientology’s TV ads over the years. 

Then you have the intergalactic overlord Xenu who, in cahoots with the psychiatrists of the universe, imprisoned millions of souls, froze them and then dumped them into -- you guessed it -- Earth’s volcanoes. Of all the places in the galaxy! This is part of the upper-level teachings of Scientology that members only find out about after they’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Scientology counseling.

Robotic Emotions

Will Smith’s character is pretty much devoid of all emotions for the entire movie. While this may be part of his character or something that was directed in the script, in Scientology, one goes through great amounts of training and counseling to control one’s emotions and “mis-emotion,” as described by Hubbard. Anyone who has done even the smallest amount of Scientology training will recall sitting and staring at a person for hours on end without being allowed to blink, smile or turn one’s head. Will Smith pretty much masters that for the entirety of this movie.

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Few people know that Battlefield Earth, the film adaptation of Hubbard's novel produced by none other than famous Scientologist John Travolta, was meant to be a way to introduce Scientology to the masses. Even the story itself is a veiled reference to the story of Scientology versus the psychiatrists.

We all know how that turned out. Battlefield Earth is considered by many critics to be one of the worst films ever made. After watching After Earth, I would say that Battlefield Earth might have finally met its match.

Two Xenu thumbs down.

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Box Office Report: Will Smith's 'After Earth' Loses to 'Now You See Me' in Major Misstep

Marking a sizeable blow for one of the world's top stars, Will Smith's sci-fi adventure After Earth narrowly lost to magician heist pic Now You See Me in one of the most surprising box office upsets in recent memory.

Sony's After Earth, starring Smith opposite his son, Jaden, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, took in $27 million in its North American debut, compared to $28.1 million for Now You See Me, from Summit Entertainment.

Universal's Fast & Furious 6 beat both films to stay at No. 1 in its second weekend, declining 65 percent to $34.5 million for a stellar domestic cume of $170.3 million. The action pic earned another $75 million overseas for a dazzling worldwide total of $480.6 million. Todd Phillips' The Hangover Part III, however, topped the international box office with an outstanding $82.3 million.

For nearly two decades, every summer film starring Will Smith has opened at No. 1, an enviable run (Made in America debuted at No. 2 in 1993).

Heading into the weekend, After Earth was expected to easily outpace Now You See Me with a $35 million to $40 million opening, still one of the lowest numbers for a summer film starring Smith, but in line with Tom Cruise's sci-fi adventure Oblivion.

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Hindered by dismal reviews and a B CinemaScore, After Earth vastly underperformed. The pic will now need to make a strong showing overseas if it has any chance of making up its $130 million budget, plus a major marketing spend. Smith is beloved internationally, although sci-fi can be a tough sell in some major markets.

After Earth opened in South Korea over the weekend, placing No. 2 behind The Hangover Part III with a so-so $2.7 million.

The father-son adventure is a passion project for Smith, who came up with the idea for the story and helped tap Shyamalan to direct the film for Sony. The actor's character sits out much of the action in the film, with the younger Smith taking top billing. Numerous reviewers raised parallels between the film and Scientology.

"Would we have liked to do more? Certainly. But the film has always been a world play. It's going to to be opening in 60 countries. It's a movie everyone worked very hard on, and everyone is proud of the film. But its always been a world play, and will open in 60 countries next weekend," said Sony worldwide president of distribution Rory Bruer.

One Sony insider added that the parallels being drawn between the storyline and Scientology couldn't be "further from the truth."

Now You See Me, designed to serve as counterprogramming to summer studio fare, wasn't expected to open much past $20 million. Directed by Louis Leterrier, the movie's ensemble cast includes Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco. 

The film, receiving an A- CinemaScore, cost just north of $75 million to produce, with much of the budget offset by foreign presales.

Lionsgate president of distribution Richie Fay credited a strong marketing campaign that included an aggressive screening program, among other tactics. Noting After Earth, he said, "I don't like dancing on anyone's grave, but I am pleased with our success."

Elsewhere, Paramount's Star Trek Into Darkness and 20th Century Fox's 3D animated pic Epic tied for fourth place with $16.4 million each. The final order will be determined when official weekend numbers are released on Monday.

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek sequel ended the weekend with a domestic total of $181.2 million. Overseas, Into Darkness took in $37.6 million as it opened in China and South Korea for an international total of $147.4 million and worldwide cume of $328.6 million. The sci-fi adventure opened in China to a strong $25 million.

Epic, produced by Fox Animation Studios and Blue Sky, the team behind the Ice Age franchise and Rio, took in $28.8 million overseas from 56 countries for an international cume of $86.3 million and worldwide haul of $151.5 million.

Warner Bros.' and Legendary's The Hangover Part III tumbled 62 percent in its second weekend to place No. 6, grossing $15.9 million for a disappointing domestic total of $88.1 million. The final title in Todd Phillips' R-rated comedy franchise received great news internationally, where it is outpacing the two previous films.

At the specialty box office, Zal Batmanglij's thriller The East opened to $75,628 from four theaters in New York and Los Angeles for a location average of $18,907. From Fox Searchlight, the film stars Brit Marling, Ellen Page, Alexander Skarsgard and Patricia Clarkson.

CBS' The Kings of Summer likewise opened in four theaters, grossing $58,000 for a location average of $14,500. The film, from first-time director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, received an A- CinemaScore.

Indie drama Mud, from Roadside Attractions, stayed in the top 10 in it sixth weekend, grossing $1.2 million from 580 theaters for a total $16.9 million.

Twitter: @PamelaDayM

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