(WATCH) Love Dubai's energy of being the best: Will Smith

Dubai - 'Dubai dreams the way I dream,' said the Hollywood superstar at the Suicide Squad press conference in the city.

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By David Light

Published: Sun 7 Aug 2016, 4:11 PM

Last updated: Sun 7 Aug 2016, 7:24 PM

He recently told Dubai's Virgin Radio that both Miami and our city were his two favourite places in the world.
While Will Smith has dedicated a song to the former town, it seems one isn't far away for Dubai. He looks as if he can't get enough of this place, often stopping by when he can such as 2014's clandestine visit which saw him take to the skies with Skydive Dubai and celebrate the New Year around the Burj Khalifa.
Jetting in first class yesterday on a flight from his previous stop in London to promote his latest movie, DC Comics' Suicide Squad, the actor-rapper was in typical ebullient form despite his character Deadshot's rather dark edge. And, given some of the reviews which surfaced after the film's US release, he could be forgiven for losing a touch of enthusiasm at having to tour the world attempting to drum up business.
There's just no keeping a good man down though, and Smith was every bit as entertaining as we knew he would be. Taking time for his fans, posing for endless pictures and laughing with genuine warmth at some of the questions laid before him at the VOX cinemas press conference held at Theatre by Rhodes, Mall of the Emirates.
Shortly after proceeding to a reception specially organised by British Airways, the team which he said brought him to Dubai in luxury he 'could get used to', at the Kempinski MOE shortly after, here are some of our choice Will Smith quotes from our time with him.
WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO THE SQUAD
What we all know is these comic book movies are taking the world by storm.
Global audiences react in a tremendous ways. I've always been a fan of these worlds and how they bring people together. When I was approached to be in the same world as Superman and Batman I was in.
UPDATED SUPERHEROES
Character on screen different from pitch - these comics go back to the 1950s. There's half a century of material and we're allowed to put our artistic licence on top of the material.
PLAYING THE BAD GUY
I've never played a bad guy like this before. A beautiful discovery was bad guys don't think of themselves as bad guys. They are the heroes in their story. That mental construction was really powerful for me. Excited to be part of school comics- you get to have a big exciting fantastic world but you're sneaking not in ideas of life and humanity. The question under Suicide Squad isn't a matter of good vs evil. It's bad vs evil. The question is, can you do so many bad things in you life you become irredeemable? We found love is the superpower. It stops bad from becoming evil.
CAST CHEMISTRY
My work environment begins with me. I have to show up with the right attitude and energy. It's hugely important to deliver positive energy because it is viral. Approach everyone with positive loving kindness. Everybody is in their twenties. I'm in my forties. As a general rule 40 yo should not hang with 20 yo! But everyone was cool!
JADA, BAD MOM AND WILL, DEADSHOT HOME ENVIRONMENT
It's strangely normal. More than anything we talk about what we're learning from our characters. I had to study serial killers and military formations! It's always fun. I was going to be in Django. Willow looked at 20 pages and said, you're going to be crazy for too long!!! I didn't do it.
I LOVE DUBAI
I came for the first time 15 years ago. During a time where 40 per cent of the world's cranes were here. I referred to it as 'Dubai dreams the way I dream' it's how I would build a city. You never know why a city speaks to you. It's just the energy of progress. The way the people and the facilities HAS to be the best in the world Things to do Shoutout to my squad at skydive Dubai. Jumped 5 times. Hands down my favourite! See in a Dubai made movie? - I've had a couple of ideas and concepts that came through. Love it here and would love to be a part of the mining of stories here.

THE MIDDLE EAST ON SCREEN
Hollywood has always been the picture of America. The Middle East isn't represented in world cinema. Its beauty needs to be on the global screen The Middle East can't allow Fox News to be the arbiter of the imagery! From Villains to superheroes? Nobody can expect someone else to tell their story. You want to tell your own. It's the responsibility not of the establishment but the holders of the truth. They need to find a way to present it in a way that is globally and financially viable.

REVIEWS UNIMPORTANT
I don't respond to reviews! How the fans respond... Suicide Squad is breaking global box office records everywhere. It has already been my biggest opening weekend and is on course to be my biggest film ever. My mind is beyond critics or even box office success. As an artist I can afford to be consumed by that because it affects my decisions. 10 years ago I had to be number one. But I've realised it taints your artistic delivery. There's only a certain type of movie you can make.

At this point of my career I have earned the right to fail. Some will be critically acclaimed, some will make money and some will be Wild Wild West! I'd absolutely be involved with a Suicide Squad sequel. This cast is insane Social responsibility I create art. It's my responsibility to entertain. The slight stream following behind is wisdom and ideas to make the world right. My basic mission is to improve lives.
ON DONALD TRUMP
As embarrassing as it is to hear him talk, I think it's good because then we get to cleanse it out.    
david@khaleejtimes.com

David Light

Published: Sun 7 Aug 2016, 4:11 PM

Last updated: Sun 7 Aug 2016, 7:24 PM

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