The film adaptation of Marcus Sakey’s novel Brilliance has been acquired by Paramount Pictures, Deadline reports. Will Smith will star and Akiva Goldsman will write the script. Both will produce alongside James Lassier and Shane Salerno.
Brilliance is a futuristic sci-fi story that presents the following question: If 1% of the world’s children were born with powerful gifts, how would they assimilate into society? These children, labeled “Brilliants,” are considered a threat to the normal population and tracked by the government.
Smith will play the hero of the story, Nick Cooper, a federal agent who works for the Department of Analysis and Response to track down and terminate criminal Brilliants. The conflict of the film is created when a group of Brilliants plan to start a war, and Smith, a Brilliant himself, must choose a side for him and his Brilliant daughter.
Goldsman has worked with Smith multiple times before. Their previous collaborations include I, Robot, I Am Legend and Hancock. Smith’s next lead role will be in the forthcoming Ang Lee film Gemini Man, in which he becomes his own enemy. Gemini Man hits theaters Oct. 11.