Hot: Will Smith was unexpectedly chosen to replace Hugh Jackman in the new movie. The reason behind the last-minute change surprised fans./hi

Will Smith chosen as Hugh Jackman’s replacement in new film

Will Smith has been chosen to replace Hugh Jackman in Collateral Beauty after the Australian star backed out of the drama. Johnny Depp was previously courted for the role.

Will Smith has been chosen to replace Hugh Jackman in the drama Collateral Beauty after Hugh Jackman backed out of the project.

Smith, 46, has closed a deal to star in the movie, taking over the role that was supposed to be played by the Aussie hunk, reported Ace Showbiz.

Smith will play a New York advertising executive who experiences a personal tragedy. His colleagues devise an unconventional plan to break him out of his depression, which works, but not in a way that anyone imagined. Rooney Mara is already on board the project.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon will direct the drama film with the script provided by Allan Loeb.

PalmStar is fully financing. Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment is producing alongside Anonymous Content, PalmStar and Likely Story.

Principal photography is set to kick off in October. No release date is set for the movie just yet

Jackman bowed out of the project in May due to scheduling issue because he’s already attached to The Wolverine 3. Last month, it was reported that Johnny Depp was eyed as a replacement.

Smith is currently filming Suicide Squad in which he plays Deadshot. He recently starred in Focus and will next be seen in NFL drama Concussion.

Watch Smith in Focus here