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What was actor Will Smith doing in Pooler?

Actor Will Smith took in a movie at the theater in Pooler, Ga. Smith is in town filming his own movie. Credit: Royal Cinemas and IMAX Facebook page.
Actor Will Smith took in a movie at the theater in Pooler, Ga. Smith is in town filming his own movie. Credit: Royal Cinemas and IMAX Facebook page.
By Shelia Poole
Feb 19, 2018

If you went to the Royal Cinemas & IMAX in Pooler this weekend, you may have gotten a big surprise.

Will Smith, who starred in “Hitch” and “Independence Day,”  was spotted at the theater this weekend. Pooler is about 14 miles from Savannah, where the actor is filming “Gemini Man.”

Someone snapped photos of Smith at the theater, which was posted on the theater’s Facebook page.

Related: "Black Panther" gives unexpected boost to African clothes designers and retailers

“Hey Will Smith!! Thanks for visiting the “best theater” Royal Cinemas & IMAX. We hope you enjoyed hospitality from our staff and the movie,” the theater posted on its Facebook page.

Related: The downtown Atlanta spots where movies have filmed

The film, which is directed by Ang Lee, "Gemini Man," is the story of an aging hit man pitted against a younger clone of himself.  It also stars Clive Owen.

The release date is Oct. 4, 2019.

Will Smith married Jada Pinkett in 1997 after dating for two years. They have two children, Jaden and Willow. Pinkett Smith has said she'd throw her career away before jeopardizing their marriage. The family lives in a 27,000-square-foot home in Malibu, Calif.

Meanwhile, several commenters expressed dismay that they missed Smith.

“I knew we should’ve went lastnight (sic) lol,” said one woman.

Having celebrities at the theater is not new. The theater has hosted red-carpet events and private screenings before. Smith’s visit was organized in advance without any fanfare.

About the Author

Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.

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