“It s*cks to feel like you’ve hurt your kids”: Will Smith Was Heartbroken After One of His Worst Movies Ever Badly Damaged Jaden Smith’s Life

Will Smith has undoubtedly given iconic performances in several projects which has aptly proved his mettle as an actor. The actor has undoubtedly faced disappointments as well. This is especially true for a 2006-release that ended up costing him his relationship with his son, Jaden Smith.

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The movie in discussion is After Earth, the latter’s second project with his father as he made his feature debut with the 2006 film, The Pursuit of Happyness. Given that his performance was highly praised, many had high hopes for the 2013 movie but the results were otherwise which made the former heartbroken. 

Will Smith’s After Earth Damaged Jaden Smith’s Life

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Will Smith has been attached to several blockbuster movies however this list also includes some of the box-office failures. One of the movies also featured his son, Jaden Smith who is known for his innovative music and pursuits in acting. Knowing that his son wanted to follow in his footsteps, he decided to give his career a further push as he collaborated with him for the second time in After Earth. 

However, the movie ended up becoming a critical failure which heavily affected the latter’s self-esteem as he was surrounded with negative criticisms. Recalling about the aftermath of that flop film, he wrote in his 2021 memoir, Will via PEOPLE, 

“After Earth was an abysmal box office and critical failure,” Smith wrote. “And what was worse was that Jaden took the hit.”

He continued to share how his son had to face intense backlash for the failure. As he was the one who guided the latter throughout the movie, he felt responsible for the outcome.

“Fans and the press were absolutely vicious; they said and printed things about Jaden that I refuse to repeat. Jaden had faithfully done everything that I’d instructed him to do, and I had coached him into the worst public mauling he’d ever experienced.”

While the young actor’s career was still in the starting phase, getting intense backlash from the critics at the tender age of 15 heavily affected his life.

Will Smith Was Heartbroken As He Lost His Son’s Trust

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On getting guidance from none other than an acclaimed actor, Jaden Smith would have never hoped to taste his first professional failure quite soon. That panned project not only shattered The Karate Kid actor’s trust in his father but nearly destroyed their relationship. He even requested to be emancipated to save his career. That was what left the King Richard actor heartbroken. 

“We never discussed it, but I know he felt betrayed. He felt misled, and he lost his trust in my leadership,” Smith added. “At fifteen years old, when Jaden asked about being an emancipated minor, my heart shattered. He ultimately decided against it, but it s-cks to feel like you’ve hurt your kids.”

Released in 2013, the movie was panned for its story, visuals, and the actors’ performances. With a production budget of $130 million, it was only able to make around $251.49 million (as per The Numbers) at the box office.

After Earth is available to watch on Hulu.