By Ryan Parsons | Image property of respective holders, Variety.
Will Smith
The team that brought us Pursuit of Happyness are at work again with a new adaptation from author Jeff Henderson, Cooked. Since Happyness did bring, well, happiness to Will Smith, the actor is already on board to produce with his Overbrook shingle with the option to star.
That is, if he likes the script.
Smith for Cooked
Cooked is Henderson's own story of how he went from San Diego cocaine dealer to imprisonment. Though this sounds all too common, Henderson discovered a passion for cooking while in the slammer and tells of his struggle to become a chef upon release. Not to ruin the ending (spoiler alert), but "Chef Jeff" eventually became exec chef at Cafe Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Overbrook's James Lassiter will also produce along with Escape Artists' Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal. This formula worked for Happyness, so no point fixing what ain't broke.
"Jeff Henderson's book is truly inspiring, and after meeting him, I knew we had to turn his story into a movie," Lassiter said.
Todd Black points out the similarities between Cooked and Happyness, noting that both revolve around the notion of a second chance.
Add to Heffee!
