Michael Bay No Longer Directing Will Smith in Netflix’s Action Film ‘Fast and Loose’

Michael Bay No Longer Directing Will Smith in Netflix’s Action Film ‘Fast and Loose’

© Courtesy of Alamy

Michael Bay has stepped down from his directorial duties for the action film, Fast and LooseDeadline is reporting. Netflix is now looking for a new helmer for the movie. The decision comes after the Transformers filmmaker and the upcoming feature’s star, Will Smith, were unable to overcome their creative differences.

The Oscar-winning actor will play a man who wakes up in Tijuana with no memories in Fast and Loose. As the character pieces together his past, he learns he’s been living two lives: one as a crime kingpin and the other as an undercover CIA agent.

Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chris Bremner and Eric Pearson wrote the script for the movie. The story blends action with comic moments.

Bay, who’s best known for making big-budget, high-concept action films, wanted to emphasize the stunts in Fast and Loose. However, Smith wanted to lean more into the story’ humor.

Netflix was previously aiming to shoot Fast and Loose in October. The streamer is no looking to begin production next year.

While Bay has stepped down from his directorial duties on Fast and Loose, he has several other projects in development. He’s in talks with Paramount a return to the Transformers franchise with a new version of the story.

The helmer-producer is also collaborating with Universal on OutRun. The feature is an adaptation of the 1986 Sega video game of the same name that’s a star vehicle for Sydney Sweeney. Jayson Rothwell is penning the screenplay for the movie. Bay and Brad Fuller are producing the movie with the Emmy-nominated actress.

Fast and Loose marked a reunion for Bay and Smith, who both launched their movie careers into superstardom with Bad Boys. Bay made his feature film directorial debut on the 1995 action comedy.

Smith’s Westbrook Studios is producing Fast and Loose. 87North’s Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are also serving as producers on the movie, which was first announced last fall. Robert Simonds and Noah Fogelson are serving as executive producers for STXfilms.

Bay last directed and produced 2022’s Ambulance. Smith last appeared on screen in last year’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

David Leitch had previously signed on to helm the upcoming heist movie. But the Deadpool 2 director left Fast and Loose a week before Smith won his Academy Award in 2022 for King Richard to start work on last year’s action comedy, The Fall Guy.

If you liked this article, please share your comment below.

Check out more of Karen Benardello’s articles.

Comment (0)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here