Listen, let me tell you something. Some fans were bummed when Will Smith decided not to reprise his role as Deadshot in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie. But guess what? The guy isn’t sitting around twiddling his thumbs. No, sir. The 50-year-old is diving headfirst into new projects. Right now, he's knee-deep in pre-production for Bad Boys for Life, the third film in the iconic Bad Boys series. But that's not all. Sources say he's also signed on to star in King Richard, where he’ll take on the role of tennis legend Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus Williams.

Why Richard Williams Deserves a Movie

Now, let me paint a picture for you. Richard Williams, at 77 years old, is a man who transformed his entire family’s destiny. According to Deadline, despite having no background in tennis, Richard managed to overcome hardships, doubts, and his own challenging past to raise not just one, but two of the greatest players in the history of the sport. What’s even more remarkable? He didn’t just stumble upon this path. Richard was inspired by Romanian tennis champion Virginia Ruzici and decided right then and there that his future daughters would be tennis professionals. And you know what? He didn’t just dream it; he planned it. This guy crafted a 78-page blueprint and started training his daughters when they were just 4-and-a-half years old. Fast forward to 1999, and Serena Williams won the US Open. A year later, Venus took home the crown at Wimbledon. Incredible, right?

Richard Williams: The Fierce Protector

Now, let's talk about Richard’s protective side. This guy was a force to be reckoned with, especially when it came to his daughters. Remember that time back in 1995 when 14-year-old Venus was being interviewed by correspondent John McKenzie on ABC’s Day One? McKenzie asked Venus if she thought she could beat an older opponent, and when she confidently said yes, he pushed her on the source of her confidence. That’s when Richard stepped in. He didn’t take kindly to McKenzie grilling his young daughter, and the video of the exchange went viral thanks to rapper and activist Ric Wilson. It’s a moment that shows just how fiercely Richard protected his daughters’ confidence and spirit.

This video of Richard Williams defending Venus’s confidence when she was 14 yr old is the best video on the internet pic.twitter.com/NqnCRJsLLf
— Disco Ric (@RicWilson) August 29, 2018

In that now-famous clip, Richard can be heard saying, “What she said, she said it with so much confidence the first time, but you keep going on and on. You’ve got to understand that you’re dealing with the image of a 14-year-old child. And this child gonna be out there playing when your old a– and me gonna be in the grave. When she say something, we done told you what’s happening. You’re dealing with a little Black kid, and let her be a kid! She done answered it with a lot of confidence, leave that alone!”

What’s Next for Will Smith?

With King Richard in the works, written by Zach Baylin, Will Smith is set to deliver a powerful performance as Richard Williams. But don’t forget, this isn’t the only project on his plate. He’s also starring as the Genie in Disney’s live-action version of Aladdin, set to hit theaters in May. It’s clear that Will isn’t just staying busy; he’s making moves that remind us all why he’s one of the biggest names in Hollywood.