Will Smith Regrets Tricking His Fans Into Seeing 'Wild Wild West'

Will Smith doesn’t want to trick his fans into seeing bad movies, like “Wild Wild West,” anymore.

E! Online reported the movie star cited the 1999 big-budget Western numerous times while reflecting on his blockbuster career at Cannes Lions on Tuesday.

“I had so much success that I started to taste global blood and my focus shifted from my artistry to winning,” Smith said. “I wanted to win and be the biggest movie star, and what happened was there was a lag — around ‘Wild Wild West’ time — I found myself promoting something because I wanted to win versus promoting something because I believed in it.”

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About 13 of Smith’s movies have grossed over $100 million domestically over their lifetime, some of which weren’t hailed by critics. “Wild Wild West,” for example, grossed $113.8 million domestically ($221 million worldwide) although it now has a score of 17 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. “Bad Boys II” grossed $138.6 million ($273 million worldwide), but has a mere 23 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

And “Wild Wild West” is a particular film that Smith cited as an example of a movie he did for his status as opposed to something he thought was a good film. He said that the film’s marketing team did a good job of enticing fans to go see it, although he believes that marketing tactic doesn’t work these days anymore.

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“That smoke and mirrors in marketing is over,” he added. “People are going to know really quickly and globally whether a product keeps its promises. Back in the ’80s and ’90s you had a piece of crap movie you put a trailer with a lot of explosions and it was Wednesday before people knew your movie was s–t…But now what happens is 10 minutes into the movie, people are tweeting, ‘This is s–t. Go see Vin Diesel.'”

He added, “My career has been strictly being able to sell my products globally, and it’s now in the hand of fans. I have to be in tune with their needs and not trick them into going to see ‘Wild Wild West.'”

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His late friend, Muhammad Ali, never compromised for money, he said.

“He was living his values, rich or poor,” the 47-year-old actor said. “It was really beautiful for me to see how profoundly happy people were at his memorial,” he explained, “and that’s a result of him living his life with a purpose. Improving lives is how I want to move forward.”

Happy Birthday Jaden Smith! His Evolution From Child Star to Gender-Bending Louis Vuitton Model (Photos)

Happy 18th birthday, Jaden Smith! Here's a look at his fast-changing career and much-talked-about looks.
Jaden’s first TV role came alongside his parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith in “All of Us,” a show based loosely on their family. It premiered on UPN in 2003, where it aired for three seasons before moving to The WB.
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Still very much a kid at heart, Jaden showed off his playful side with mom Jada Pinkett Smith playing the "Enter the Matrix" video game at a screening of "Final Flight of the Osiris" in February 2003.
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Jaden had his major movie role in the 2006 film "The Pursuit of Happyness" as Christopher, the son of real-life homeless salesman Chris Gardner, played by his father Will Smith.
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The young actor got to rub shoulders with Tom Cruise and actress Alice Braga, when he went with his dad to the New York premiere of "I Am Legend" in December 2007.
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The aspiring rapper showed off his music skills appearing on stage at the BET studios during a taping of "106 & Park" on Dec. 14, 2006.
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A dapper suit and tie with a head of wild curls created Jaden's grown up look for the "Pursuit Of Happyness" Rome Premiere in January 2007.
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Jaden joined "Little Miss Sunshine" star Abigail Breslin to present an Oscar at the 79th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 25, 2007.
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Mixing with A list stars yet again, Jaden attended the New York premiere of his 2008 film "The Day the Earth Stood Still," alongside Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm and director Scott Derrickson.
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Jaden's first lead starring role was in the remarkably different reboot of "Karate Kid" co-starring Jackie Chan in 2010, taking over from original star Ralph Macchio.
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The budding action star was sandwiched between Jackie Chan and snowboarder Shaun White at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
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Jaden hit the red carpet for the premiere of buddy Justin Bieber's concert film "Never Say Never" with his sister Willow in February 2011.
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"After Earth" may have been slammed by critics, but the Smith family came out in style to promote the sci-fi adventure in May 2013.
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The father and son team traveled to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico for Colombia Pictures' "After Earth" press junket at Spaceport America.
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Back supporting Bieber, Jaden jumped on stage to perform with the "Baby" singer during a concert in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2015.
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The teenager had a very PDA-filled visit to New York Fashion Week when he made out with girlfriend Sarah Snyder at the Gypsy Sport show on Sept. 15.
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In the campaign that relaunched his image, Jaden was revealed as the new face of Louis Vuitton womenswear on Jan. 4, 2016, appearing in ads for the company's gender-fluid line for the spring and summer of 2016.
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On Jan. 26, 2016, Jaden posted on Instagram a new gender-bending photo of himself, shirtless and wearing a black skirt with a rose tucked behind his ear.
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Jaden Smith sports an Afro in Baz Luhrmann's Netflix musical series “The Get Down.”