Barack Obama Told Will Smith He Could Play the President in a Film Because He Had the Right Ears
President Barack Obama gave the go-ahead to Will Smith to portray him in a movie. There are already two movies about the former President, but the 52-year-old actor could make the third a blockbuster hit. According to Smith, the two men agreed that he has the right ears for the job.
Will Smith missed the chance to be the first Black President
Smith was 26 when he first admitted that he wanted to become the President of the United States.
“Give me 10 years, and I’ll make it,” Smith told Variety, half-joking, “provided I can squeeze in an NBA championship before that.”
The actor never pursued a basketball career, but he hasn’t backed down about the political one.
“As I look at the political landscape, I think that there might be a future out there for me,” Smith said 10 years later on CBS Sunday Morning.
In 2016, while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actor admitted he missed his chance to be the first Black President.
“I definitely have had the itching; I have lots of views and ideas,” Will explained that he does get the desire to run for the presidency. “Sometimes, I hear people say things on television, and I want to run against them.”
However, he explained that his wife’s thoughts on the matter are holding him back.
“My wife has said on numerous occasions, ‘Hell, no,'” the actor admitted. “I’m not sure what she means by that, but that is what she said.”
Barack Obama agrees that Will Smith could portray him in a biopic
Smith also added that since he missed the opportunity to be the first Black President, he will have to settle for playing Obama in a film.
“We have talked about it a couple of times,” Smith told Colbert.
The talk show host was shocked that Smith discussed this topic with President Obama.
“Me and B was hollering about it the other day,” Smith joked. “He said the one thing is for sure; I have the ears to play him.”
President Obama already has two movies out about his life
Two movies came out in 2016 at the end of Obama’s presidency — Barry and Southside With You. The first film reflects on the President’s college years. The latter tells the story of his first date with Michelle Obama.
Southside With You grossed over $6.5 million worldwide, while Barry was purchased by Netflix for $4.5 million, according to The Undefeated. Those amounts are only a fraction of what Smith’s movies typically gross.
At least 17 of the 21 films that Smith had leading roles in accumulated worldwide gross earnings of over $100 million each, according to Box Office Mojo. At least five of his movies took in over $500 million each globally. So, if Smith does portray Obama in the future, it could be a Blockbuster hit.
