Will Smith continued his winning streak this award weekend.&nbsp; 
 
After picking up a SAG Award, Golden Globes, Smith again took home two prestigious awards, BAFTA and Critics Choice Award in less than 24 hours for his incredible portrayal in 'King Richard'. 
 
Smith, 53, was named Best Actor for his role as Serena and Venus Williams' father, Richard Williams Jr., in 'King Richard'. 
&nbsp; 
However, Smith was not in attendance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday to accept his award, but he attended the Critics Choice award in Los Angeles.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bafta-2022-winners-list-dune-scoops-five-awards-lady-gaga-misses-out-again-462012" hreflang="en">BAFTA 2022: 'Dune', 'Power of the Dogs' scores big; here's complete winners list</a> 
 
During his acceptance speech, Smith hailed Venus and Serena Williams for trusting him and honoured their family.&nbsp;"Thank you for entrusting me with your story," Smith said during his speech.&nbsp;

"What you were able to do, your family was able to do, inspired everyone in this room, everyone in this country, everyone around the world. You all defined the American dream. You represent the best of what we all hope this country can be."

Smith added, "I loved that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family." 
 
Smith also mentioned &nbsp;Oracene Price - the mother of the iconic tennis players.&nbsp;"I loved that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family,'' he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/critics-choice-awards-2022-see-the-full-list-of-winners-462028" hreflang="en">Critics Choice Awards 2022: See the full list of winners</a> 
 
Further mentioning actor Aunjanue Ellis, who played the role of Price in the movie. "It would be disingenuous for me to accept this [award] without acknowledging Aunjanue Ellis." 
 
Smith is also up for an Oscar 2022 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his work in King Richard.&nbsp;

Will Smith continued his winning streak this award weekend. After picking up a SAG Award, Golden Globes, Smith again took home two prestigious awards, BAFTA and Critics Choice Award in less than 24 hours for his incredible portrayal in 'King Richard'.

Will Smith continued his winning streak this award weekend. After picking up a SAG Award, Golden Globes, Smith again took home two prestigious awards, BAFTA and Critics Choice Award in less than 24 hours for his incredible portrayal in 'King Richard'. Smith, 53, was named Best Actor for his role as Serena and Venus Williams' father, Richard Williams Jr., in 'King Richard'. However, Smith was not in attendance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday to accept his award, but he attended the Critics Choice award in Los Angeles. BAFTA 2022: 'Dune', 'Power of the Dogs' scores big; here's complete winners list During his acceptance speech, Smith hailed Venus and Serena Williams for trusting him and honoured their family. "Thank you for entrusting me with your story," Smith said during his speech. "What you were able to do, your family was able to do, inspired everyone in this room, everyone in this country, everyone around the world. You all defined the American dream. You represent the best of what we all hope this country can be." Smith added, "I loved that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family." Smith also mentioned Oracene Price - the mother of the iconic tennis players. "I loved that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family,'' he added. Critics Choice Awards 2022: See the full list of winners Further mentioning actor Aunjanue Ellis, who played the role of Price in the movie. "It would be disingenuous for me to accept this [award] without acknowledging Aunjanue Ellis." Smith is also up for an Oscar 2022 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his work in King Richard.

Will Smith wins Critics Choice Awards & BAFTA for 'King Richard', hails Venus and Serena Williams

Will Smith is on cloud nine as he received&nbsp;the first-ever SAG award of his career.&nbsp; 
 
On Sunday, Smith took home the award for outstanding performance by a male actor for his outstanding performance in 'King Richard'. 
In the movie, he has played the role of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams./

He beat out fellow nominees Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!) and Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth). 
 
Smith's happiness was visible after his name was announced and how he excitedly jumped out of his seat and shouted while embracing co-stars Aunjanue Ellis and Saniyya Sidney. 
 
After receiving&nbsp;his first SAG awards, Smith paid tribute to his family and King Richard, “That may have been one of the greatest moments of my career just now because my name was called for King Richard sitting next to Venus Williams,” Smith said. 
 
He continued, “Richard Williams is a dreamer like no one has ever known. He has a power of belief that borders on insanity and sometimes tips over the border, which is absolutely necessary to take something from impossible to possible.” 
 
Backstage, Smith said he could understand the concept of believing “something that’s not yet true, and you have to believe it powerfully even though it doesn’t exist and the universe hasn’t opened the door for the thing to enter the world yet, and you have to believe it fully.”

Will Smith is on cloud nine as he received the first-ever SAG award of his career. On Sunday, Smith took home the award for outstanding performance by a male actor for his outstanding performance in 'King Richard'.

Will Smith is on cloud nine as he received the first-ever SAG award of his career. On Sunday, Smith took home the award for outstanding performance by a male actor for his outstanding performance in 'King Richard'. In the movie, he has played the role of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams./ He beat out fellow nominees Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick … Boom!) and Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth). Smith's happiness was visible after his name was announced and how he excitedly jumped out of his seat and shouted while embracing co-stars Aunjanue Ellis and Saniyya Sidney. After receiving his first SAG awards, Smith paid tribute to his family and King Richard, “That may have been one of the greatest moments of my career just now because my name was called for King Richard sitting next to Venus Williams,” Smith said. He continued, “Richard Williams is a dreamer like no one has ever known. He has a power of belief that borders on insanity and sometimes tips over the border, which is absolutely necessary to take something from impossible to possible.” Backstage, Smith said he could understand the concept of believing “something that’s not yet true, and you have to believe it powerfully even though it doesn’t exist and the universe hasn’t opened the door for the thing to enter the world yet, and you have to believe it fully.”

Will Smith bags his first SAG Award for Best Actor, pays tribute King Richard

It's that time of the year! Hosts Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the nominations for Oscars 2022. Jane Campion's 'The Power Of Dog', Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast', Sci-fi saga 'Dune' lead the nominations this year. Will Smith's 'King Richard' and Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' too earned nods in top categories.&nbsp; 
 
2021 saw most of the world grappling with the second wave of COVID-19. As the world remained under lockdown for a greater part of the year, and cinema halls remained shut, some of the finest films released on OTT platforms including 'Don't Look Up', 'The Power Of Dog' and 'Being The Ricardos' to name a few.&nbsp; 
 
The Academy Awards will be held on March 27. &nbsp;This year's theme at the awards&nbsp;is 'Movie lovers unite' 
 
Here's the full list of nominations

Best Picture 
Belfast 
CODA 
Don't Look Up 
Drive My Car 
Dune 
King Richard 
Licorice Pizza 
Nightmare Alley 
The Power Of The Dog 
West Side Story&nbsp;

Best Director 
Kenneth Branagh, 'Belfast' 
Ryusuke Hamaguchi, 'Drive My Car' 
Paul Thomas Anderson, 'Licorice Pizza' 
Jane Campion, 'The Power of the Dog' 
Steven Spielberg, 'West Side Story'

Best Actor 
Javier Bardem, 'Being The Ricardos' 
Benedict Cumberbatch, 'The Power Of The Dog' 
Andrew Garfield, 'Tick Tick Boom' 
Will Smith, 'King Richard' 
Denzel Washington, 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth'

Best Actress 
Jessica Chastain, 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' 
Olivia Colman, 'The Lost Daughter' 
Penelope Cruz, 'Parallel Mothers' 
Nicole Kidman, 'Being The Ricardos' 
Kristen Stewart, 'Spencer'

Best Supporting Actor 
Ciaran Hinds, 'Belfast' 
Troy Kotsur, 'CODA' 
Jesse Plemons, 'The Power of the Dog' 
J.K. Simmons, 'Being the Ricardos' 
Kodi Smit-McPhee, 'The Power of the Dog'

Best Supporting Actress 
Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter” 
Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story” 
Jude Dench, “Belfast” 
Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog” 
Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard”

Best Cinematography 
'Dune' 
'Nightmare Alley' 
'The Power of the Dog' 
'The Tragedy of Macbeth' 
'West Side Story'

Best International Feature film&nbsp; 
“Drive My Car” 
“Flee” 
“The Hand of God” 
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” 
“The Worst Person in the World”

Best Sound 
Belfast&nbsp; 
Dune 
No Time To Die 
The Power Of The Dog 
West Side Story

Best Costume Design 
Cruella 
Cyrano 
Nightmare Alley 
Dune 
West Side Story

Best Adapted Screenplay 
CODA 
Drive My Car 
Dune 
The Lost Daughter 
The Power of The Dog

Best Original Screenplay&nbsp; 
Belfast 
Don't Look Up 
King Richard 
Licorice Pizza 
The Worst Person In The World

Best Animated Short 
Affairs of the Art 
Bestia 
Boxballet 
Robin Robin 
The Windshield Wiper

Best Live Action Short Film&nbsp; 
Ala Kachuu – Take and Run 
The Dress 
The Long Goodbye 
On My Mind 
Please Hold

Best Editing 
Don’t Look Up' 
'Dune' 
'King Richard' 
'The Power of the Dog' 
'tick, tick…Boom!'

Best Make-up and Hairstyling 
Coming to America 
Cruella 
Dune 
'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' 
'House of Gucci'

Best Animated Feature 
Encanto 
Flee 
Luca 
The Mitchells vs. the Machines 
Raya and the Last Dragon

Best Animated Short 
“Affairs of the Art” 
“Bestia” 
“Boxballet” 
“Robin Robin” 
“The Windshield Wiper”

Best Documentary Feature 
“Ascension” 
“Attica” 
“Flee” 
“Summer of Soul” 
“Writing With Fire”

Best Documentary Short 
Audible 
Lead Me Home 
The Queen of Basketball 
Three Songs for Benazir 
When We Were Bullies

Best Live Action Short 
Ala Kachuu – Take and Run 
The Dress 
The Long Goodbye 
On My Mind 
Please Hold

Best Original Score 
Don’t Look Up 
Dune 
Encanto 
Parallel Mothers 
The Power of the Dog

Best Original Song 
'Be Alive,” 'King Richard' 
“Dos Oruguitas,” 'Encanto' 
“Down to Joy,” 'Belfast' 
“No Time to Die,” 'No Time to Die' 
“Somehow You Do,” 'Four Good Days'

Best Documentary Short 
Audible” 
“Lead Me Home” 
“The Queen of Basketball” 
“Three Songs for Benazir” 
“When We Were Bullies”

Best Live Action Short 
“Ala Kachuu – Take and Run” 
“The Dress” 
“The Long Goodbye” 
“On My Mind” 
“Please Hold”

Best Visual Effects 
Spider-Man No Way Home 
Shang Chi 
Dune 
Free Guy 
No Time To Die

Best Production design 
“Dune” 
“Nightmare Alley” 
“The Power of the Dog” 
“The Tragedy of Macbeth” 
“West Side Story” 
&nbsp;

It's that time of the year! Hosts Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the nominations for Oscars 2022. Jane Campion's 'The Power Of Dog', Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast', Sci-fi saga 'Dune' lead the nominations this year.

It's that time of the year! Hosts Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the nominations for Oscars 2022. Jane Campion's 'The Power Of Dog', Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast', Sci-fi saga 'Dune' lead the nominations this year. Will Smith's 'King Richard' and Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' too earned nods in top categories. 2021 saw most of the world grappling with the second wave of COVID-19. As the world remained under lockdown for a greater part of the year, and cinema halls remained shut, some of the finest films released on OTT platforms including 'Don't Look Up', 'The Power Of Dog' and 'Being The Ricardos' to name a few. The Academy Awards will be held on March 27. This year's theme at the awards is 'Movie lovers unite' Here's the full list of nominations Best Picture Belfast CODA Don't Look Up Drive My Car Dune King Richard Licorice Pizza Nightmare Alley The Power Of The Dog West Side Story Best Director Kenneth Branagh, 'Belfast' Ryusuke Hamaguchi, 'Drive My Car' Paul Thomas Anderson, 'Licorice Pizza' Jane Campion, 'The Power of the Dog' Steven Spielberg, 'West Side Story' Best Actor Javier Bardem, 'Being The Ricardos' Benedict Cumberbatch, 'The Power Of The Dog' Andrew Garfield, 'Tick Tick Boom' Will Smith, 'King Richard' Denzel Washington, 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth' Best Actress Jessica Chastain, 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' Olivia Colman, 'The Lost Daughter' Penelope Cruz, 'Parallel Mothers' Nicole Kidman, 'Being The Ricardos' Kristen Stewart, 'Spencer' Best Supporting Actor Ciaran Hinds, 'Belfast' Troy Kotsur, 'CODA' Jesse Plemons, 'The Power of the Dog' J.K. Simmons, 'Being the Ricardos' Kodi Smit-McPhee, 'The Power of the Dog' Best Supporting Actress Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter” Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story” Jude Dench, “Belfast” Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog” Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard” Best Cinematography 'Dune' 'Nightmare Alley' 'The Power of the Dog' 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' 'West Side Story' Best International Feature film “Drive My Car” “Flee” “The Hand of God” “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” “The Worst Person in the World” Best Sound Belfast Dune No Time To Die The Power Of The Dog West Side Story Best Costume Design Cruella Cyrano Nightmare Alley Dune West Side Story Best Adapted Screenplay CODA Drive My Car Dune The Lost Daughter The Power of The Dog Best Original Screenplay Belfast Don't Look Up King Richard Licorice Pizza The Worst Person In The World Best Animated Short Affairs of the Art Bestia Boxballet Robin Robin The Windshield Wiper Best Live Action Short Film Ala Kachuu – Take and Run The Dress The Long Goodbye On My Mind Please Hold Best Editing Don’t Look Up' 'Dune' 'King Richard' 'The Power of the Dog' 'tick, tick…Boom!' Best Make-up and Hairstyling Coming to America Cruella Dune 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' 'House of Gucci' Best Animated Feature Encanto Flee Luca The Mitchells vs. the Machines Raya and the Last Dragon Best Animated Short “Affairs of the Art” “Bestia” “Boxballet” “Robin Robin” “The Windshield Wiper” Best Documentary Feature “Ascension” “Attica” “Flee” “Summer of Soul” “Writing With Fire” Best Documentary Short Audible Lead Me Home The Queen of Basketball Three Songs for Benazir When We Were Bullies Best Live Action Short Ala Kachuu – Take and Run The Dress The Long Goodbye On My Mind Please Hold Best Original Score Don’t Look Up Dune Encanto Parallel Mothers The Power of the Dog Best Original Song 'Be Alive,” 'King Richard' “Dos Oruguitas,” 'Encanto' “Down to Joy,” 'Belfast' “No Time to Die,” 'No Time to Die' “Somehow You Do,” 'Four Good Days' Best Documentary Short Audible” “Lead Me Home” “The Queen of Basketball” “Three Songs for Benazir” “When We Were Bullies” Best Live Action Short “Ala Kachuu – Take and Run” “The Dress” “The Long Goodbye” “On My Mind” “Please Hold” Best Visual Effects Spider-Man No Way Home Shang Chi Dune Free Guy No Time To Die Best Production design “Dune” “Nightmare Alley” “The Power of the Dog” “The Tragedy of Macbeth” “West Side Story”

Oscar nominations 2022: The complete list

With Will Smith’s film ‘King Richard’ ready for its premiere, the Hollywood star was spotted interacting with young tennis players in Wimbledon.&nbsp;

The tennis players were pleasantly surprised by Will Smith’s visit. <a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/topics/will-smith" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/topics/will-smith&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjH2IPd16P0AhUvzTgGHWpQB8U4ChAWegQIBxAB&amp;usg=AOvVaw3WsugJLdST3tkHFMaW4AfO" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/will-smith" target="_blank">Will Smith</a> went to the sporting venue with co-stars Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney.&nbsp;

They visited the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative players during a rehearsal session.

<img alt="will smith" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="067f0464-369f-4212-8b01-7bf5969de271" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New-339.jpg" />

As for his film, King Richard will see Will Smith in the upcoming biographical drama which follows Richard Williams as he sets his sights on writing his two daughters, Venus and Serena into making tennis history.

Aunjanue Ellis will play Venus and Serena’s mother while Saniyya and Demi Singleton portray gold-winning medalists Serena and Venus Williams. Jon Bernthal will play the tennis coach Rick Macci.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smith-plays-venus-and-serenas-lion-in-oscar-tipped-king-richard-429652">King Richard</a> will be in cinemas on November 19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smith-makes-shocking-revelation-in-memoir-wanted-to-kill-his-father-426595" hreflang="en">Will Smith makes shocking revelation in memoir, wanted to kill his father</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smiths-king-richard-impresses-beyonc%C3%A9-beyond-words-gives-her-new-song-to-the-film-422960" hreflang="en">Will Smith's 'King Richard' impresses Beyoncé beyond words, gives her new song to the film</a></h2>

With Will Smith’s film ‘King Richard’ ready for its premiere, the Hollywood star was spotted interacting with young tennis players in Wimbledon. The tennis players were pleasantly surprised by Will Smith’s visit.

With Will Smith’s film ‘King Richard’ ready for its premiere, the Hollywood star was spotted interacting with young tennis players in Wimbledon. The tennis players were pleasantly surprised by Will Smith’s visit. Will Smith went to the sporting venue with co-stars Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney. They visited the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative players during a rehearsal session. As for his film, King Richard will see Will Smith in the upcoming biographical drama which follows Richard Williams as he sets his sights on writing his two daughters, Venus and Serena into making tennis history. Aunjanue Ellis will play Venus and Serena’s mother while Saniyya and Demi Singleton portray gold-winning medalists Serena and Venus Williams. Jon Bernthal will play the tennis coach Rick Macci. King Richard will be in cinemas on November 19. Also read: Will Smith makes shocking revelation in memoir, wanted to kill his father Will Smith's 'King Richard' impresses Beyoncé beyond words, gives her new song to the film

King Richard: Will Smith surprises tennis players in Wimbledon ahead of film release

"King Richard" plots the improbable rise of Serena and Venus Williams, from training on crumbling, gang-riddled Compton tennis courts to becoming all-time sporting greats.

The movie could soon cap another unlikely journey, with former "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Will Smith heavily tipped to win his first Oscar for best actor, as their larger-than-life father, coach and manager.

Smith "fell in love with Richard Williams" two decades ago, after watching him leap to 14-year-old daughter Venus's defense in an interview with an overly insistent journalist.

"The look of Venus's face... the image burned in my heart," he told an online press conference. "Because that's how I wanted my daughter to look when I showed up."

"I knew I wanted to show a father protecting a daughter like that to the world," said Smith, who signed on to star and produce in the Warner Bros film.

The film, which had its Los Angeles premiere Sunday during AFI Fest, focusses on how the Williams' unusual and tight-knit family in an impoverished and mainly Black neighborhood of the same city shaped their future success.

Richard Williams, a self-taught coach, famously wrote a 78-page plan to make Venus and Serena the top players in the world before they were even born, having learnt about the lucrative prize money on offer.

Venus -- whose seven Grand Slam titles would later be eclipsed by Serena's 23 -- occupies more of the screen time, having paved the way for her younger sister with early wins at junior tournaments.

"I love that Venus opened doors, and her sister just ran through," Saniyya Sidney, who plays Venus, told AFP.

"She's so humble, she doesn't even look at the status, or who's bigger... being given this opportunity to show the world exactly what Venus did, is so, so important."

Growing up seeing "girls that look like me are in a sport that is predominantly a white sport... means so much to me," said Sidney.

- 'Revolutionaries' -

The film follows Richard's efforts to find his daughters a professional coach at snooty Californian tennis clubs, and how he was initially met with rejection, ridicule and racism.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-shang-chi-changes-beef-to-veg-biryani-in-hindi-dub-upma-in-tamil-version-429558" hreflang="en">'Shang-Chi' changes beef to veg-biryani in Hindi dub, upma in Tamil version</a>

The Williams family would later boycott the prestigious Indian Wells tennis tournament in California for 14 years, after booing that Richard slammed as racist, and which Serena later likened to a "genteel lynch mob."

Serena, whose fiery temper has left her at loggerheads with officials on occasions, was banned from wearing a "Black Panther"-inspired black catsuit at the French Open in 2018.

"Every time they come on the court, they are these walking revolutionaries," Aunjanue Ellis, who plays their mother and fellow coach Oracene, told AFP.

"The tennis industry is still to this day trying to police how creative they are, trying to police their genius, and they haven't been able to do that."

- 'Lion' -

For Smith -- a father of three -- watching Richard Williams protect his daughters all those years ago helped to shape his performance.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-adele-opens-up-about-her-divorce--her-alcoholic-father-in-candid-oprah-interview-429439" hreflang="en">Adele opens up about her divorce &amp; her alcoholic father in Oprah interview</a>

"It was like [Venus] had a lion. And she was so confident and so comfortable that her lion wasn't going to let anything happen to her," he recalled.

While Venus and Serena, plus two of their half-sisters, are involved with the film, Richard did not participate, and the film's largely positive portrayal also hints at marital infidelity.

Filmmakers initially planned to put Smith in full prosthetics to closely resemble Williams, but eventually relied on the two-time Oscar nominee's acting to transform audience perceptions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-rrr-and-gangubai-kathiawadi-wont-clash-as-sanjay-leela-bhansali-pushes-his-film-429459" hreflang="en">'RRR' &amp; 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' won't clash as Sanjay Leela Bhansali pushes film</a>

"He would just slide in to Richard Williams, which has all of that exuberance of Will Smith, but this whole other side of his character -- it was startling to see," said co-star Tony Goldwyn.

Smith is the current bookmakers' favorite to win best actor at February's Oscars, having missed out for his portrayal of boxer Muhammad Ali in "Ali," and in "The Pursuit of Happyness."

"King Richard" hits theaters next Friday.

"King Richard" plots the improbable rise of Serena and Venus Williams, from training on crumbling, gang-riddled Compton tennis courts to becoming all-time sporting greats.

"King Richard" plots the improbable rise of Serena and Venus Williams, from training on crumbling, gang-riddled Compton tennis courts to becoming all-time sporting greats. The movie could soon cap another unlikely journey, with former "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star Will Smith heavily tipped to win his first Oscar for best actor, as their larger-than-life father, coach and manager. Smith "fell in love with Richard Williams" two decades ago, after watching him leap to 14-year-old daughter Venus's defense in an interview with an overly insistent journalist. "The look of Venus's face... the image burned in my heart," he told an online press conference. "Because that's how I wanted my daughter to look when I showed up." "I knew I wanted to show a father protecting a daughter like that to the world," said Smith, who signed on to star and produce in the Warner Bros film. The film, which had its Los Angeles premiere Sunday during AFI Fest, focusses on how the Williams' unusual and tight-knit family in an impoverished and mainly Black neighborhood of the same city shaped their future success. Richard Williams, a self-taught coach, famously wrote a 78-page plan to make Venus and Serena the top players in the world before they were even born, having learnt about the lucrative prize money on offer. Venus -- whose seven Grand Slam titles would later be eclipsed by Serena's 23 -- occupies more of the screen time, having paved the way for her younger sister with early wins at junior tournaments. "I love that Venus opened doors, and her sister just ran through," Saniyya Sidney, who plays Venus, told AFP. "She's so humble, she doesn't even look at the status, or who's bigger... being given this opportunity to show the world exactly what Venus did, is so, so important." Growing up seeing "girls that look like me are in a sport that is predominantly a white sport... means so much to me," said Sidney. - 'Revolutionaries' - The film follows Richard's efforts to find his daughters a professional coach at snooty Californian tennis clubs, and how he was initially met with rejection, ridicule and racism. Also read: 'Shang-Chi' changes beef to veg-biryani in Hindi dub, upma in Tamil version The Williams family would later boycott the prestigious Indian Wells tennis tournament in California for 14 years, after booing that Richard slammed as racist, and which Serena later likened to a "genteel lynch mob." Serena, whose fiery temper has left her at loggerheads with officials on occasions, was banned from wearing a "Black Panther"-inspired black catsuit at the French Open in 2018. "Every time they come on the court, they are these walking revolutionaries," Aunjanue Ellis, who plays their mother and fellow coach Oracene, told AFP. "The tennis industry is still to this day trying to police how creative they are, trying to police their genius, and they haven't been able to do that." - 'Lion' - For Smith -- a father of three -- watching Richard Williams protect his daughters all those years ago helped to shape his performance. Also read: Adele opens up about her divorce & her alcoholic father in Oprah interview "It was like [Venus] had a lion. And she was so confident and so comfortable that her lion wasn't going to let anything happen to her," he recalled. While Venus and Serena, plus two of their half-sisters, are involved with the film, Richard did not participate, and the film's largely positive portrayal also hints at marital infidelity. Filmmakers initially planned to put Smith in full prosthetics to closely resemble Williams, but eventually relied on the two-time Oscar nominee's acting to transform audience perceptions. Also read: 'RRR' & 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' won't clash as Sanjay Leela Bhansali pushes film "He would just slide in to Richard Williams, which has all of that exuberance of Will Smith, but this whole other side of his character -- it was startling to see," said co-star Tony Goldwyn. Smith is the current bookmakers' favorite to win best actor at February's Oscars, having missed out for his portrayal of boxer Muhammad Ali in "Ali," and in "The Pursuit of Happyness." "King Richard" hits theaters next Friday.

Will Smith plays Venus and Serena's 'lion' in Oscar-tipped 'King Richard'

Hollywood star Will Smith and production house Warner Bros., are in trouble as they were gearing to start work on Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard. Funnily, King Richard is being served in the courts today thanks to a multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit.

The complaint registered states: “This case presents an unfortunate and tawdry situation: the cold and calculating misappropriation and interference with Plaintiffs’ intellectual property,” says the seven claim complaint from TW3 Entertainment and Power Move Multi Media.

The case has been filed against Will Smith’s loan out company and Warner Bros, among others.

According to the plaintiff’s claim, Will Smith and company bought the rights for Williams’ book for a mere $10,000 three years ago. However, these rights involved limited power of attorney for “purposes of dealing with film and media rights for his book.”&nbsp;

The film would have been directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Hollywood star Will Smith and production house Warner Bros., are in trouble as they were gearing to start work on Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard. Funnily, King Richard is being served in the courts today thanks to a multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit.

Hollywood star Will Smith and production house Warner Bros., are in trouble as they were gearing to start work on Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard. Funnily, King Richard is being served in the courts today thanks to a multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit. The complaint registered states: “This case presents an unfortunate and tawdry situation: the cold and calculating misappropriation and interference with Plaintiffs’ intellectual property,” says the seven claim complaint from TW3 Entertainment and Power Move Multi Media. The case has been filed against Will Smith’s loan out company and Warner Bros, among others. According to the plaintiff’s claim, Will Smith and company bought the rights for Williams’ book for a mere $10,000 three years ago. However, these rights involved limited power of attorney for “purposes of dealing with film and media rights for his book.” The film would have been directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Will Smith, Warner Bros sued for movie on Serena and Venus Williams' father

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