In the upcoming thriller, Smith plays a man torn between two worlds, with John Swab directing the project after Michael Bay’s exit.
Will Smith is officially teaming up once again with Bad Boys producer Jerry Bruckheimer, this time for the Netflix thriller Fast and Loose. Directed by John Swab, the film has been in development for a few years, but with a new director on board and production back on track, momentum is finally building. Here’s everything we know so far about the film, the story, and the team bringing it to life.
The Story of ‘Fast and Loose’
The film follows Smith’s character who wakes up in Tijuana with no memories. As he connects the pieces to his past, he lands upon a discovery, he’s been living a double life. One as a crime kingpin and the other as an undercover CIA agent.
This setup blends mystery, action, and suspense, all while giving Smith the chance to lean into both his star presence and his natural knack for humor. With its amnesia driven storyline and double identity twist, Fast and Loose promises a mix of thrills, tension, and unexpected reveals.
A Project Years in the Making for Will Smith
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project has been floating around Hollywood since 2022. Originally, Michael Bay was set to direct, and with Bay’s name attached, the movie was expected to lean toward massive action. However, creative differences eventually caused Bay to step away.
Deadline reported that Bay envisioned a more traditional, action film, while Smith pushed for a balance between action and comedy. That creative divide ended Bay’s involvement, leaving the door open for a fresh vision.
Since then, Bay has shifted his attention to the Transformers franchise with a new installment and is also working on an adaptation of the classic video game OutRun, a project rumored to be a star vehicle for Sydney Sweeney.
Enter John Swab
With Bay gone and Smith’s schedule filling up quickly, Netflix and Bruckheimer needed to move fast in finding a replacement. After meeting with several candidates, John Swab stood out and ultimately landed the job.
For Swab, Fast and Loose is a major opportunity, following his crime thriller, King Ivory, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. His other directing credits include Candy Land and Ida Red, both of which showcased his ability to weave together tense storylines and grounded performances.
The Team Behind the Script
The screenplay for Fast and Loose has been developed by a powerhouse team of writers. Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chris Bremner, and Eric Pearson. Collectively, they bring a wide range of experience across genres. The Hoebers co-wrote Red and Battleship, blending action with humor. Bremner worked on Bad Boys for Life and its sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die, proving his skill at writing for Smith in particular. While, Pearson contributed to Marvel titles like Thor: Ragnarok and Black Widow. Together, this group brings both blockbuster experience and the ability to balance sharp dialogue with big action moments.
On the producing side, the film is equally stacked. Kosaku Yada and James Lassiter will executive produce for Smith’s Westbrook Studios, while Robert Simonds and Noah Fogelson will executive produce for STXfilms. Additional executive producers include Jeff Waxman and Jen Madeloff, rounding out a team with deep experience in action, thriller, and blockbuster projects.
What’s Next
Filming for Fast and Loose is scheduled to begin this October, with additional casting announcements expected in the coming months. With Smith leading the project, Bruckheimer producing, and Swab stepping in as director, the film brings together an experienced team both in front of and behind the camera. Once production gets underway, fans will finally get a closer look at how this high stakes thriller takes shape.
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