Deadpool & Wolverine might have revived the box office buzz for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Will Smith was the one who brought back the summer blockbuster magic with Bad Boys: Ride or Die. From steering the franchise to the billion-dollar mark, Smith’s comeback was not confined to the cinematics but also powered by the musical milestones he has made since. Though he has been diving into fresh projects and snagging leading roles left and right, Smith made a surprising exit from his starring role in Sugar Bandits. 

Curious about the plot twist? Here is the real reason behind his unexpected move!

According to a fresh scoop from Deadline, Will Smith has officially stepped away from his role in the upcoming action flick Sugar Bandits. Even though he just rocked the summer box office with the action-packed Ride or Die, Smith is not ready to risk it all for Sugar Bandits. However, he and his production company, Westbrook, will stick around as producers. Filming was set to kick off soon, but things hit a snag allegedly due to uncertainty over Smith’s “on-screen commitment.”

Smith has reportedly stepped down from his acting role due to scheduling conflicts, and word has it that Westbrook is now on the hunt for a new lead. They still aim to bring Sugar Bandits to the big screen in 2025. However, the film’s future has sparked some concern, especially since the $80 million project was sold globally at the EFM and Cannes — with major indie distributors and Amazon Prime on board under the assumption that Smith would be the star.

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As With Smith’s role now up for grabs, here is a deep dive into what the character was all about.

Will Smith was set to portray a former special forces soldier leading an elite vigilante squad on a mission to take down a Boston drug cartel in the upcoming action thriller, Sugar Bandits. Sugar Bandits brought on Stefano Sollima as director earlier this year. The story is based on Chuck Hogan’s novel and screenplay, Devils in Exile.

Deadline reports that location scouting for the movie was already completed, and it was in pre-production, with plans to shoot in Montreal. While Smith has stepped away from the project, the big question now is who will step into the role, especially after he recently pulled in over $400 million worldwide with Bad Boys: Ride or Die. To know more, fans need to stay tuned for further updates.

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What do you think of Will Smith's decision to step back from his role in Sugar Bandits? Let us know in the comments below!