Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s son Jaden (The Pursuit of Happyness) has landed a part in Fox’s sci-fi thriller The Day the Earth Stood Still.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith will play the rebellious Jacob, the 8-year-old stepson of scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) who first makes contact with the humanoid alien Klaatu (Keanu Reeves). Kathy Bates and Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm also star.
Scott Derrickson is directing the contemporary reinvention of the 1951 Fox classic being produced by Erwin Stoff, Gregory Goodman and Paul Boardman. It is filming in Vancouver.
David Scarpa wrote the screenplay about Klaatu’s arrival on Earth that triggers a global upheaval as governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind his appearance.
Smith’s Jacob and stepmother Helen get caught up in Klaatu’s mission, coming to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described “friend to the Earth.”
