Do We Buy Jaden Smith as a Movie Star?

By Ben Widdicombe Posted Jun 11th 2010 11:15AM

There's no question that Jaden Smith -- Will Smith and Jada's genetically-gifted offspring who stars in the 'Karate Kid' remake, opening today -- is one heck of a cute kid.

But early reviews have been nothing short of brutal, and let's face it, with his mom and dad as producers of the film, he didn't get the part by going to a casting session and winning it on talent. Even the Tom Cruise connection doesn't seem to help. The Cruise and Smith families are famously best buds, and Tom (through his studio exec caricature, Les Grossman) heavily promoted Jaden at last Sunday's MTV Movie Awards.

Tom's endorsement should boost the young actor's prospects at the box office, but does it just reinforce the idea that Jaden Smith as a movie star is nothing but a racket being shoved down the public's throat by self-interested Hollywood power-players?

The connection between the Smith and Cruise families runs deep. Tom's own son, Connor, whom he adopted during his marriage to Nicole Kidman, was cast as the younger version of Will Smith's character in the 2008 film 'Seven Pounds.' (At the time, Tom said he was nervous about his son going through the audition procedure to get the part. It didn't sound convincing.)

Then there's the matter of the Smiths' involvement with Scientology. Although they seem not to be fully-fledged members, the family has donated money to the religion ($70,000 in 2008 through the Will Smith Foundation, according to tax filings), and the actor has spoken favorably about it in public. And his "wrap present" to the crew after shooting 'Hancock' was a card good for a free personality evaluation at a Scientology center (never mind that the church provides the service free to potential recruits anyway).

The Smith's level of participation with Scientology is interesting because of the church's well-known Hollywood power base. Many young actors are drawn to the faith expressly to network. (One major Disney star, who had been involved with the church but got out, told me that it is considered a fast track to success by a lot of actors looking for their first break.) And in Cruise's infamous leaked Scientology video, he expresses the belief that his faith "create[s] new and better realities" for its followers.

All this might be completely irrelevant to young Jaden and his career. But it does create the impression that there is a vast Hollywood machine dedicated to helping a chosen few (especially if those few have parents who donate money) in a way that is not entirely organic or based simply on rewarding talent.

It looks like Jaden has to brace himself for some rough handling by the critics based on early reviews of 'The Karate Kid' (which, by the way, is all about Kung-fu, not karate at all). But he also has the bigger challenge of proving to the public that he deserves his headliner status, and that it hasn't just been handed to him by vested Hollywood interests. That is a task that will take many years -- and require some better movies -- to complete.

Tags: jada pinkett smith, Jaden Smith, tom cruise, Will Smith

Comments

(90)

Friday 11 June

By Bonbon

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Why mess up a good thing, the original Karate Kid is not going to be topped, and no he is not a movie star, he is a movie stars "kid", he is a child and should be allowed to be a child.

By Jess

Certain movies should be left along and The Karate Kid is one of them.Talk about stage parents.This kid had his dad buy him a movie..

By BTDT

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Saw him on Letterman.
Quite an ego on this lad.

Saturday 12 June

By Jon

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I agree 100%. He is only a product of a Star couple. No talent kid..................... But with some pushing a train wreck wating to happen because of excess................ will only lead to drugs an tattoos. Sad to watch these no talent .Rich kids think they are or be something they are not. Like talented actors. While they could be just kids.

By tony

the short answer,no!

By mahjhhang

No, this kid is no "star". He's merely the child of stars. And he seems very smug and arrogant to me.

By lolabull

Good grief. Lame.............. Why can't these people just leave a good thing alone? They should attempt ro remake a bad movie instead of screwing up a legacy-film.

By JOAN

I WONDER HOW MUCH DADDY PAID FOR HIM TO GET THE ROLE

By Hallemil

Is he any different than the legions of children of famous actors who have had careers based upon their luck of bing born into Hollywood families? Let's be fair, many stars, some of whom are still working today, got their break because of who their parents happen to be. When talent is judged for it's own sake this might change, but in today's market, I find that possibility doubtful.

By Ddoggie

Funny how every parent thinks there little dweeb is a "star"

By Donna

He is a cute little boy. But when we give our children everything,, it never turns out well.
I hope hes parents know what they are doing..

By Valerie

So negative, these won't be the first parents to try to help their kid. What's your problem and how did his acting get all entangled with Scientology? One thing has nothing to do with the other. It's the media trying to sway us against this younster, media making or breaking another star. Starting pretty young guys, what's up with that? This young man did a great job in his first movie with his Dad "The Pursuit of Happiness" and very well in "The Day the Earth Stood Still". Maybe those movies were his audition. You need to try destroying people who deserve it.

By Cathy

you are right I think this kid deserves a break and did anyone see his moves in the trailer that kid has more talent than most older actors. sure his parents are actors but he had to work hard for this movie

By Elaine

From the few interviews I seen with Jaden he looks like an arrogant, smug little brat (I'm actually not even all that impressed with his parents either).

By Linda

JUST COZ A KID IS BORN TO PARENTS OR A PARENT WHO DOES ACT DOES NOT MEAN THAT KID SHOULD HAVE PRIVILEDGES OTHER KIDS CANNOT HAVE IN GETTING MOVIE ROLES! I AM MORE THAN SURE HIS DADDY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH MAKING SURE HE GOT THAT ROLE. I REFUSE TO SEE THIS KID IN THIS MOVIE. SIMPLE AS THAT. LAME IS RIGHT!

By lori

he is a kid whose daddy got him the role.. give us a break!!!! a star??? no way!!!

By Terry

Well with his parents as producers, they didn't have to buy his role, merely appoint him as star. How about really seeing what he wants to do with his life? Maybe he'll do something that will change the world...

By Samantha Lehman

Yes, the lad is very into himself BUT, so is his mother; she's very narcissistic AND in everything she does. I've been wary of her since first seeing her long ago with Wil. You don't agree? Well, try watching her t.v. show; whoops, can't remember the name of it, she plays a nurse, a VERY haughty nurse, exactly like she acts in real life.

By Jim

Does the name Lindsay Lohan mean anything? No talent knows no gender, or age limitations

By Rich

Thanks to his dad, the movie was bought for the kid. Just like the Hawthorn was bought for his wife. The talent is not there. Will should stick to his day job and let his wife and kids grow into the career that bests suits them.

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