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Will Smith made another stop on his comeback trail when he stopped by a Los Angeles Lakers training session.
The team shared photos of the 54-year-old actor visiting his facilities on Wednesday, which appeared to be related to the release of his upcoming Civil War drama Emancipation.
The visit is Smith’s latest attempt at reviving his tarnished career in the wake of his shocking Oscars ceremony after holding an early screening of the film for a group of friends and A-listers, including Rihanna, A$ AP Rocky and his only… time critic Dave Chappelle.
Honored: Will Smith, 54, received a number 14 jersey after spending time with the Los Angeles Lakers team as part of his Genius speaker series
Smith beamed from ear to ear in a group photo taken in what appeared to be a movie theater holding up a number 14 jersey with his name on it while surrounded by the NBA stars.
The screen behind him indicated that the Hollywood star was visiting as part of the Lakers’ Genius Series, which brings in inspiring speakers from various fields to meet the team.
The Ali star also got the chance to shoot some hoops at the team’s practice facility, and he was seen with a soft smile on his face holding a ball overhead on the field.
“Huge thanks to Will Smith, who joined the team to discuss strength through togetherness and practice gratitude in times of great challenge,” read the team’s caption on Instagram, which added: “All themes in his upcoming masterpiece movie, Emancipation.’
Big day: “Huge thanks to Will Smith, who joined the team to discuss strength through togetherness and practice gratitude in times of great challenge,” the team wrote on Instagram, adding that they: “Themes in his upcoming masterpiece film, Emancipation’
Calm: Smith was casual yet sporty dressed in a blue stone patterned windbreaker and matching track pants as he shot hoops. He paired the suit with purple and white Nike basketball shoes to complement the team’s colors, along with a lilac striped shirt
Smith was dressed casually yet sportily in a blue stone patterned windbreaker and matching track pants.
He paired the suit with purple and white Nike basketball shoes to complement the team’s colors, along with a lilac striped shirt.
The Bad Boys star appeared to have gotten the full tour and posed for the team’s trophies.
He had the chance to meet key Lakers executives, including owner Jeannie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka met Smith on the field and looked like he was giving him some clues about his shot.
The Bosses: He had the chance to meet key Lakers executives, including owner Jeannie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka
Practical training: Pelinka met Smith on the pitch and looked like he was giving him some clues about his shot
Earlier on Monday, Smith was hard at work on his comeback when he revealed an impressive array of stars attending a preview of his upcoming film Emancipation.
The Oscar winner was beaming in a photo posted to Instagram with beloved Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, along with comedian Dave Chappelle, movie star Tyler Perry and more.
Will sported a particularly thick beard and cropped hair while showing a wide smile as he snapped a selfie.
He was casually dressed in a cream striped shirt with an anthracite jacket.
Celebrity Friends: Smith continued his acting comeback Monday when he shared a star-studded photo of an Emancipation screening with Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Dave Chappelle, Tyler Perry and more
Behind him was Rihanna, playfully flashing bunny ears behind his head while wearing a white jacket. She wore her hair down and swiped one eye, showing off her perfect pout as she looked like she was about to kiss her partner A$AP Rocky.
Rocky grinned from ear to ear wearing a white trucker cap.
Dave Chappelle stood grinning in the middle of the crowd in a brown shirt, while Tyler Perry showed a playfully surprised expression while wearing a cool blue jacket.
Pals: Blackish creator Kenya Barris, along with music producer Corey Smyth and Will’s longtime friend Fawn Boardley, also joined in the celebration. They talked about the movie afterwards
History: Smith’s latest film is a historical thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which the Fresh Prince actor stars as an enslaved man named Peter who escapes from a plantation in Louisiana
Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, along with music producer Corey Smyth and Will’s longtime friend Fawn Boardley, who also served as style director for him and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 51, also took part in the celebration. attended the screening.
The film seemed to have sparked some deep conversations between the group, as a follow-up photo, Chappelle would have to stand with his back to the screen talking to the other members of the audience.
Smith’s latest film is a historical thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which the Fresh Prince actor stars as an enslaved man named Peter who escapes from a Louisiana plantation and braves treacherous territory and slave hunters to reach north to the territory of the Union, where he was able to participate in the fight against the Confederation.
The film is inspired by the life of a former slave, immortalized in gruesome photos of his back, which was covered in cobwebs of keloid scars from repeated whipping.
Race for Freedom: Braves treacherous territory and slave hunters to make it north to Union territory, where he can join the fight against the Confederacy
Painful: The film is inspired by the life of a former slave, immortalized in gruesome photos of his back, which was covered in keloid scars from cobwebs from repeated lashes
The film is Smith’s first major work since he took the stage at the Academy Awards and punched Chris Rock in the face while he was presenting.
The Independence Day star said he was outraged by a joke Rock made about his wife’s lack of hair, which she shaved off to cover up hair loss.
Despite the fact that the Oscars were controversial, Smith still won the Best Actor award for starring as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard.
After the shocking blow Variety originally reported that Apple planned to delay the film until 2023 to let the controversy subside.
However, it is now slated for a theater release on December 2, followed by a streaming release on Apple TV+ on December 9.
The streaming service may still have abandoned its plans to have a hit for the prize season, as the film could miss out on potential profits due to its short theatrical window.
Back on track: The film was originally supposed to be delayed to 2023 after Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, but it’ll now be out in time for award season with a theatrical release on December 2; seen in march