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Rapper, musician, actor, intergalactic space agent and apocalyptic doctor, Will Smith(dyslexic) is back on our screens, this time as smooth talking con man Nicky Spurgeon in the movie Focus.

This comedy action flick follows Nicky as he takes on a novice, Jess Barrett (Margot Robbie), to help him in one of his schemes, the pair become romantically involved; but, when Jess gets uncomfortably close, Nicky ends their relationship. Three years later, Nicky is in Buenos Aires working a very dangerous scheme when Jess — now an accomplished femme fatale — unexpectedly shows up. Her appearance throws Nicky for a loop at a time when he cannot afford to be off his game.

Will Smith took this role seriously and was caught shop lifting in preparation for the role. Don’t worry he wasn’t doing a Britney Spears. Apollo Robbins, one of the world’s leading experts on deception, was brought in to help Smith get into character and asked him to steal from a shop; Will accepted the challenge (don’t worry, all goods were returned to their rightful owners). In his own words, he said, “It was really interesting. It’s such a terrifying feeling, and that thrill, it makes it beautiful and exciting.

While all that preparation may have allowed Smith to play a conniving crook on screen, off screen it wasn’t quite enough to stop his co-star completely showing him up. Earlier this month they appeared on Top Gear to try out their skills in a reasonably priced car, following the London premier of the film. Unfortunately for the A-list star, his co-star managed to out drive him, by 1/10th of a second (Unlucky Will, unlucky!)

Seeing the pair together, it’s hard to believe there is a 22-year age difference between them. Yes that’s right Will Smith is now 46, a fact his son Jaden Smith (16) won’t let him forget, “When Margot got hired for the film, Jaden said, ‘Get in the gym – do not embarrass me,’ he revealed on Good Morning Britain’

Although he was completely out driven by a girl, and dissed by his own son, it’s great to see what Will has achieved, despite his Dyslexia. However, one of his talents isn’t widely publicised, Will Smith is multi-lingual! Yup, bet you didn’t know Will Smith could speak Spanish! He actually spoke the romantic language to the press at a conference in Argentina.

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Focus is on general release at cinemas near you, from 27th February.

Words by Sean Douglas and Vanessa Rocha


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