Will Smith.Photo: Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via GettyWill Smithwas feeling generous on the set of his upcoming film,King Richard.The actor and producer gifted cash bonuses to his costars on the acclaimed drama,The Hollywood Reporterfirst reported.The Oscar nominee was reportedly paid as much as $40 million for the film and personally wrote checks out to his costars including Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, who play his daughters in the film, as well as Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis, among others, according toTHR.Smith gave out the gifts after Warner Bros. changed the release plan for the upcoming movie to debut simultaneously in theaters and on its streaming service HBO Max on Nov. 19, the outlet reported. A source toldTHRthat Smith’s bonus was on top of what the actors already received from Warner Bros. as compensation for the HBO Max release strategy.Smith produced and stars in the movie as Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena.Goldwyn later confirmed Smith’s gesture toAccess Hollywood, saying, “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. I have never worked with anyone as generous as Will. What you said [he gave bonuses/gifts to all of the talent] is true. When this movie, when Warner Brothers decided not to release it, to put it out on streaming, there was a lot of controversy as people know and we just got a call from Will saying, ‘I’m going to make this right.’ I’ve never experienced it, I was floored. I just couldn’t believe it.“A rep for Smith did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.Chiabella James/Warner Bros. PicturesKing Richardfollows the Williams family’s start in the sport and their rise to ground-breaking champions status.Smith has receivedearly praisefor his role as Richard, with critics who saw the film in early screenings tapping him as a possible Oscars contender.The Hollywood Reporter’sScott Feinbergtweetedthat he “choked up” during the film, calling King Richard “the most amazing story, told so well,” and adding, “Will Smithis gonna be hard to beat.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Critic Scott Mantz agreed,tweeting, “KING RICHARD: Excellent film! A rousing, feel-good crowd-pleaser about the rise of tennis superstars Venus &Serena Williams! Oscar noms for#WillSmith(Lead Actor) &#AunjanueEllis(Supp Actress), maybe Best Pic! Loved from start to finish!“King Richarddebuts in theaters and on HBO Max on Nov. 19.
Will Smith.Photo: Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty
Will Smithwas feeling generous on the set of his upcoming film,King Richard.The actor and producer gifted cash bonuses to his costars on the acclaimed drama,The Hollywood Reporterfirst reported.The Oscar nominee was reportedly paid as much as $40 million for the film and personally wrote checks out to his costars including Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, who play his daughters in the film, as well as Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis, among others, according toTHR.Smith gave out the gifts after Warner Bros. changed the release plan for the upcoming movie to debut simultaneously in theaters and on its streaming service HBO Max on Nov. 19, the outlet reported. A source toldTHRthat Smith’s bonus was on top of what the actors already received from Warner Bros. as compensation for the HBO Max release strategy.Smith produced and stars in the movie as Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena.Goldwyn later confirmed Smith’s gesture toAccess Hollywood, saying, “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. I have never worked with anyone as generous as Will. What you said [he gave bonuses/gifts to all of the talent] is true. When this movie, when Warner Brothers decided not to release it, to put it out on streaming, there was a lot of controversy as people know and we just got a call from Will saying, ‘I’m going to make this right.’ I’ve never experienced it, I was floored. I just couldn’t believe it.“A rep for Smith did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.Chiabella James/Warner Bros. PicturesKing Richardfollows the Williams family’s start in the sport and their rise to ground-breaking champions status.Smith has receivedearly praisefor his role as Richard, with critics who saw the film in early screenings tapping him as a possible Oscars contender.The Hollywood Reporter’sScott Feinbergtweetedthat he “choked up” during the film, calling King Richard “the most amazing story, told so well,” and adding, “Will Smithis gonna be hard to beat.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Critic Scott Mantz agreed,tweeting, “KING RICHARD: Excellent film! A rousing, feel-good crowd-pleaser about the rise of tennis superstars Venus &Serena Williams! Oscar noms for#WillSmith(Lead Actor) &#AunjanueEllis(Supp Actress), maybe Best Pic! Loved from start to finish!“King Richarddebuts in theaters and on HBO Max on Nov. 19.
Will Smithwas feeling generous on the set of his upcoming film,King Richard.
The actor and producer gifted cash bonuses to his costars on the acclaimed drama,The Hollywood Reporterfirst reported.
The Oscar nominee was reportedly paid as much as $40 million for the film and personally wrote checks out to his costars including Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, who play his daughters in the film, as well as Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal and Aunjanue Ellis, among others, according toTHR.
Smith gave out the gifts after Warner Bros. changed the release plan for the upcoming movie to debut simultaneously in theaters and on its streaming service HBO Max on Nov. 19, the outlet reported. A source toldTHRthat Smith’s bonus was on top of what the actors already received from Warner Bros. as compensation for the HBO Max release strategy.
Smith produced and stars in the movie as Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena.
Goldwyn later confirmed Smith’s gesture toAccess Hollywood, saying, “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years. I have never worked with anyone as generous as Will. What you said [he gave bonuses/gifts to all of the talent] is true. When this movie, when Warner Brothers decided not to release it, to put it out on streaming, there was a lot of controversy as people know and we just got a call from Will saying, ‘I’m going to make this right.’ I’ve never experienced it, I was floored. I just couldn’t believe it.”
A rep for Smith did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Chiabella James/Warner Bros. Pictures
King Richardfollows the Williams family’s start in the sport and their rise to ground-breaking champions status.
Smith has receivedearly praisefor his role as Richard, with critics who saw the film in early screenings tapping him as a possible Oscars contender.
The Hollywood Reporter’sScott Feinbergtweetedthat he “choked up” during the film, calling King Richard “the most amazing story, told so well,” and adding, “Will Smithis gonna be hard to beat.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Critic Scott Mantz agreed,tweeting, “KING RICHARD: Excellent film! A rousing, feel-good crowd-pleaser about the rise of tennis superstars Venus &Serena Williams! Oscar noms for#WillSmith(Lead Actor) &#AunjanueEllis(Supp Actress), maybe Best Pic! Loved from start to finish!”
King Richarddebuts in theaters and on HBO Max on Nov. 19.
source: people.com
