Oscar-winning filmmakerAng Leehas begun rolling cameras on his next feature. The director took some time in choosing his follow-up project toLife of Pi, for which he won the Best Director Oscar, and he settled on the war drama/satireBilly Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, which he shot entirely at High Frame Rate. The film—and its format—didn’t go over too well with audiences or critics, but now Lee is back in the director’s chair on something entirely different (as he is wont to do): an action-thriller starringWill Smith.
Indeed, filming has begun on the long-in-developmentGemini Man, which is Lee’s next project, and to mark the occasion star Will Smith has shared the first set photos from the film. The innovative story finds Smith playing an elite assassin who is suddenly targeted and pursued by a mysterious outsider—who happens to be a younger version of himself. This project’s origin dates all the way back to a pitch byDarren Lemkein 1997, whenTony Scottwas attached to direct. Over the years numerous screenwriters took a pass at the script, includingBrian Helgeland(L.A. Confidential),Andrew Niccol(The Truman Show), andDavid Benioff(Game of Thrones), and actors likeMel GibsonandClint Eastwoodmulled over the lead role at different times.
While the original idea would have had two different actors playing the two characters, Lee will be using cutting-edge digital technology to de-age Smith so he can play both parts. This kind of tech is fairly new, but films likeCaptain America: Civil WarandBlade Runner 2049have had tremendous success creating younger digital doubles of actors and Lee is nothing if not ambitious, so it’ll be interesting to see what this final result is.
It’s unclear if Lee is shootingGemini Manin HFR, but he’s certainly keen on that tech so it wouldn’t surprise me. Perhaps an action-thriller is a better fit than a drama.
Check out the firstGemini Manset photo and video from Smith below, in which he reveals that shooting in Georgia certainly has its bug hazards. Produced byJerry Bruckheimer, the Paramount Pictures and Skydance film also starsMary Elizabeth Winstead,Clive Owen, andBenedict Wong.Gemini Manopens in theaters on June 06, 2025.
