Apart from having blockbuster movies and Academy Awards under his belt, Will Smith is also known for his extreme dedication to his family. Previously getting into the Oscar slapgate scandal and almost ruining his decorated career, just for the sake of his wife, the actor certainly proved his love for his family.
Will Smith and Jaden Smith
Thus, despite being dedicated to the well-being of his wife and children when Will Smith nearly destroyed his son’s career, the actor faced a hard time trying to fix it. Trying to relaunch Jaden Smith’s career with the 2013 movie After Earth, Smith faced a heartbreaking blow following its box office disaster and catastrophic effect on his son’s career and mental well-being.

Will Smith’s Attempt To Relaunch Jaden Smith’s Career

After dragging his son into the glitz and glam of Hollywood, following their appearance in The Pursuit Of Happyness, Will Smith wished Jaden Smith to have a successful career. Further, witnessing a steady growth in his son’s acting career with the highly appreciated movie The Karate Kid, the Oscar-winning actor began focusing on his personal growth.
Smith tried relaunching his son’s career
However, soon Jaden Smith lost his charm in the industry and people started pointing out his failure to live up to his father’s expectations. Thus, Will Smith took the initiative to relaunch Jaden Smith in Hollywood, with their 2013 movie After Earth. Struggling to hold his position in the film industry, the Emancipation actor tried helping his son win back his charm.
After Earth (2013)
Nonetheless, the father-son duo faced a huge setback, after their movie bombed commercially and critically, with Jaden Smith facing public humiliation for his lack of acting skills. Produced with a $130M budget, After Earth earned $243M at the box office, leading the then-teen actor to fail to overlook the criticism.

Will Smith Nearly Destroyed Jaden Smith’s Film Career 

Realizing how he destroyed his career despite Will Smith trying to relaunch him in Hollywood, Jaden Smith asked to be emancipated when he was a 15-year-old. Willing to separate himself from his parents and live a low-profile life, the child actor developed a heartbreaking moment for his parents.
Jaden Smith failed to overlook the criticism
Will Smith thus opened up about the struggling period following the release of After Earth and mentioned how he faced a heartbreaking blow from his son, in his mémoire Will. Calling the 2013 movie, “an abysmal box office and critical failure” the Oscar winner mentioned how his son “felt betrayed. He felt misled, and he lost his trust in my leadership”.
Will Smith failed to forgive himself after ruining his son’s career
Recalling the moment when Jaden Smith sought emancipation, the Aladdin actor stated, “at 15 years old, when Jaden asked about being an emancipated minor, my heart shattered”. Feeling regretful and guilty of destroying his son’s career despite trying to do what’s best, Smith confessed, “it sucks to feel like you’ve hurt your kids”. However, eventually, things got back to normal and Jaden Smith decided not to get emancipated for his father’s failed attempt.

Watch After Earth on Amazon Video.