Will Smith chosen as Hugh Jackman's replacement in new film

Will Smith has been chosen to replace Hugh Jackman in Collateral Beauty after the Australian star backed out of the drama. Johnny Depp was previously courted for the role.

Will Smith has been chosen to replace Hugh Jackman in the drama Collateral Beauty after Hugh Jackman backed out of the project.

Will-Smith-to-replace-Hugh-Jackman-in-Collateral-Beauty-because-they-are-the-same-person-Shutterstock

Smith, 46, has closed a deal to star in the movie, taking over the role that was supposed to be played by the Aussie hunk, reported Ace Showbiz.

Smith will play a New York advertising executive who experiences a personal tragedy. His colleagues devise an unconventional plan to break him out of his depression, which works, but not in a way that anyone imagined. Rooney Mara is already on board the project.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon will direct the drama film with the script provided by Allan Loeb.

PalmStar is fully financing. Smith's Overbrook Entertainment is producing alongside Anonymous Content, PalmStar and Likely Story.

Principal photography is set to kick off in October. No release date is set for the movie just yet.

Jackman bowed out of the project in May due to scheduling issue because he's already attached to The Wolverine 3. Last month, it was reported that Johnny Depp was eyed as a replacement.