If a list of Hollywood gems does not mention Will Smith and Tom Hanks, then it is only right according to the rule of law for it to be taken down. While the actors do not have a movie in common, Smith and Hanks are tied by their extraordinary ability to touch the audience through every screen. And every screenplay. While they have been celebrated for their shape-shifting ability to morph into any character, physically as displayed by Smith in Ali and Hanks in Forrest Gump, among others, a recent poster has led the audience to draw the line.

Smith’s finest performances come from movies like King Richard, Emancipation, and Ali, where he portrays people of color. Whereas, Hanks wins hearts by playing courageous white men with Private Ryan and Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. But no matter how great of an actor they are, it does not sit right to switcheroo their most iconic roles. Or worst, combine them to star in a legendary role. But this is what an AI-generated poster of a fake Martin Luther King movie has done.

Fans go through a rollercoaster of emotions after seeing a fake Martin Luther King poster 

It has been several decades since Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. But ‘I Have a Dream’ still rings clear in every heart that hopes to see a world where equality reigns. This is why, when a poster with a sharp-cut Netflix written at the bottom started circulating online, fans were all eyes. It featured Will Smith, or what appeared to be one, in a brown coat at the helm of affairs. However, upon closer notice, it was found that the said poster had Tom Hanks’ name written on it. And this is how an AI-generated poster of a non-existent Netflix movie unfolded a kerfuffle on the Internet. Except it also led to some important discussions.

With how realistic AI generations are progressively getting, fans found the rendition of Tom Hanks to be jarring. This led to an ample amount of ‘Tom Smith’ jokes. But it did not take long before the lighthearted chitchat turned into a hot discussion about ‘white washing’ and racism.

Fans found it wrong that the poster had chosen a white man to play Martin Luther King, who was considered a messiah for black people.

This was countered by others who said this is where the beauty lied in acting. And that they would not mind Will Smith playing a prominent white entity from history.

While the moral lines surrounding characters and the alteration of their race are still a bit blurry, what is clear is that fans want a Martin Luther King movie.

Is there an upcoming Netflix movie starring Will Smith as Martin Luther King?

The fake AI-generated poster for all its flaws has made room for the discussion of a movie starring Martin Luther King. It beats us how such a courageous chapter of history is yet to be capsulized by cinema. But if the project receives a green light, it is doubtful that Will Smith will be the first choice. Only because of what he pulled at the Oscars in 2022 and because Idris Elba exists. As we hope someone pushes for the project, Netflix has a documentary titled MLK/FBI that unravels how the FBI was harassing the legendary leader.

Who do you think the AI-generated Martin Luther King poster looks more like? Will Smith or Tom Hanks? Let us know in the comments below.