American actor and producer Will Smith was received in Luanda by Angolan President João Lourenço as part of a visit marked by discussions on the development of the audiovisual sector and tourism in Angola.
Following the meeting, the artist mentioned the possibility of filming movies and series in the country, particularly within the Bad Boys franchise. He noted that such an initiative could help showcase Angola’s landscapes while boosting the local film industry.
Visiting Angola for the first time, Will Smith said he was impressed by the warm welcome from the population as well as the energy emanating from the country. He described the atmosphere as "stimulating” and stated that this dynamic is a strong motivation for future projects there.
Discussions with the head of state also focused on opportunities for collaboration with local creators. The actor expressed his desire to build connections with Angolan talent and revealed his admiration for musician Bonga, whose work he follows closely and hopes to meet soon.
Born Willard Carroll Smith Jr. in Philadelphia, Will Smith first rose to fame in music under the name The Fresh Prince, before achieving global recognition through the series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His film career then took off with major successes such as Independence Day, Men in Black, and Ali, in which he portrayed the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
This visit could mark an important step in positioning Angola as an emerging destination for international audiovisual productions.