By M&C News Aug 22, 2006, 8:49 GMT
Overbrook Entertainment, Will Smith's production company, has reportedly ventured with Indian entertainment conglomerate UTV, to produce two movies for the international market an action thriller and a feature-length animation.
Smith has not signed to be the star vehicle but it is widely thought he will take on the live-action role and lend his voice to the animation project.
Smith will have a role in choice of director, script and cast. Both films will be distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Earlier this year, Smith visited India to launch Sony's English movie channel, Pix and revealed that he had briefly considered Bollywood leading lady Aishwarya Rai as his costar in "Hitch".
Smith made no bones about his interest in the Indian market and expressed his desire to explore business opportunities in Bollywood.
"The deal is a result of a series of meeting Smith and his business partner James Lassiter had with several key members of our film industry," said a UTV official.
In a separate deal, UTV has invested $7 million in Fox Searchlight's romantic comedy I Think I Love My Wife, starring Chris Rock. This is UTV's second venture with Fox after Mira Nair's The Namesake.
UTV CEO Ronnie Screwala said of the projects, "These projects are a big step towards reaching key North American markets and expanding our presence globally."
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