Will Smith Paid For Entire US City's 4th July Fireworks After They Didn't Plan A Show

Will Smith put his hand in his pocket to make sure the city of New Orleans was able to celebrate Independence Day.

The Hollywood star stumped up around $100,000 to pay for fireworks for the city's 4 July celebrations at the weekend after finding out officials hadn't organised a display for this year, the Associated press reports.

The annual firework show, which was cancelled last year due to covid, was left hanging in the balance due to funding issues before Smith stepped in to save the day.

PA

New Orleans' Mayor LaToya Cantrell wrote on Twitter: "A fireworks display produced by 'Go 4th on the River' will take place in New Orleans along the Mississippi Riverfront at 9pm Sunday, July 4, 2021.

"The gift of city fireworks was made possible by actor and producer Will Smith, along with his company Westbrook."

Social media users have since heaped praise on the actor for his kind gesture, with one person writing: "Very nice! Thank you Will Smith!"

Another wrote: "Not all heroes wear capes.!

A third added: "Yaaaaaayyy! Thank you, Will Smith! You rock."

Fourth of July is a big day for Smith, who appeared in the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day - but earlier this week it was revealed that the actor very nearly didn't end up in the movie.

Director Roland Emmerich and screenwriter Dean Devlin told The Hollywood Reporter that initially the studio wasn't sold on Smith as the movie's lead because he was black.

Emmerich said the studio told him: "'No, we don't like Will Smith. He's unproven. He doesn't work in international [markets].'"

PA

While Devlin explained: "They said, 'You cast a Black guy in this part, you're going to kill foreign [box office]'.

"Our argument was, 'Well, the movie is about space aliens. It's going to do fine foreign.'

"It was a big war, and Roland really stood up for [Smith] - and we ultimately won that war."

Emmerich added: "I put my foot down. 'Universal people are calling every day, so give me these two actors or I move over there.' I don't think it would have been a possibility [to actually move studios], but it was a great threat."

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19