Will Smith to Play Barack Obama? Actor Revives Old Rumor
Actor Will Smith has revived an old rumor that he will play President Barack Obama in a supposed biopic about the president's life, telling BBC News that he is the "most natural choice" for playing the president.
In an interview on Monday with the BBC, Smith said he and the president carry the most physical similarity in their ears.
"We talked about it a few months ago. Again, it's about the ears, that's the thing. People see the ears, and Barack and I both have the ears, so I'm the most natural choice," he told the British news agency on Monday.
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This is not the first time Smith has discussed his similarity to President Obama. In a 2008 interview with MTV, while promoting his film "Hancock," Smith once again mentioned that he and Obama have the same type of ears.
"That's the key. That's the key. America loves ears, you know? Mickey Mouse started it; Goofy and Dumbo followed behind. And America just loves the ears," he joked.
Repeatedly, Smith has jokingly said that he will agree to play the role of the president as long as Obama himself agrees to write the ending.
"I told [Obama] jokingly, 'It's definitely something I would consider, you just have to write the ending.' So he's working on the ending right now," Smith told the BBC.
Smith is currently touring Europe to promote his new film, "Men in Black 3," also starring Tommy Lee Jones. The film hits U.S. theaters May 25.
Some critics aren't taking Smith's claims to heart however, as he has repeatedly mentioned his resemblance to Obama, yet news of a biopic film has yet to become public.
The Huffington Post tweeted, "Will Smith to play Barack Obama? Stop us if you've heard this one before."
Other guesses for best male actor to play the commander in chief include Canadian rapper Drake and actors Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.
Washington and Freeman have played far more dramatic roles than Smith, and many critics have trouble removing Smith from his early TV role as the goofy, reckless teen in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
"Will Smith wants to play Barack Obama. What's the president's stance on 'chillin' out, maxin'?'" questioned Henry Myers via Twitter, citing Will Smith's rap to the introduction of the popular 90s sitcom.
Others, however, see Smith as the ideal choic to portray President Obama.
"Will Smith would play an amazing Barack Obama" tweeted Jonathan Mark.
