Will Smith on board for The American Can

Deadline has announced that Hollywood star Will Smith will play the lead in the movie The American Can, a part previously offered to Denzel Washington.

Deadline has announced that Hollywood star Will Smith will play the lead in the movie The American Can, a part previously offered to Denzel Washington.

Smith will play a New Orleans hero who saved several lives when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

The American Can is based on actual events surrounding Gulf War veteran John Keller, who looked after and kept his neighbors safe in the building when the hurricane struck. He then actively took part in directing the rescue operation that was launched from the roof of the five-story building.

Will Smith wanted to play the lead role in this movie from the very beginning. However, he had to give up on the idea as he was already participating in M. Night Shyamalan's next film, the sci-fi opus After Earth, set for release on June 5.

Ed Zwick (Blood Diamond) will direct, while screenplay was written by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side). Filming can begin once Will Smith has finished filming Focus by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.