Star Spotlight: Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith stars in The Day the Earth Stood Still. (Photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox)
The day a 5-year-old Jaden Smith told his megastar parents, actor Will Smith and Actress Jada Pinkett Smith, that he wanted to follow in their footsteps, the world was lucky indeed! He first appeared in the Will Smith–produced sitcom All Of Us and made his feature film debut when he costarred with his dad in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness. For that role, Jaden won the 2007 MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance.
It was fun working with his dad, but now Jaden is ready to go on his own. Beginning December 12, Jaden will be co-starring with two other superstars, Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, in the remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Scholastic News Online got a chance to check in with 8-year-old Jaden and ask him all about his latest big-screen experience and more. Read on. . . .
Scholastic News Online: Tell us about your character, Jacob, in The Day the Earth Stood Still. Was he fun to play? Was the story scary?
Jaden Smith: Well yeah, Jacob was a fun character to play. The story was scary because it was about alien stuff. The reason why anything is scary is because we don't understand aliens.
SNO: What was the funniest thing that happened on the set?
Jaden: It was a sad movie, so a lot of fun things didn't happen.
SNO: What about stunts? Did you do any? Were they hard? How did you prepare?
Jaden: Yes, they were hard. I was scared out of my pants doing the scene where I fell off the bridge, but Keanu caught me.
SNO: Do you like thriller/sci-fi movies and books?
Jaden: Yes, I do. They are very cool.
SNO: What is your favorite subject in school? Best? Worst?
Jaden: My favorite subject was math, but my favorite class is science.
SNO: Is it hard to memorize your lines? Any tips for young actors?
Jaden: Yes it is hard to memorize lines. My tip is: Keep it real!
SNO: What is the best place you have ever visited?
Jaden: Hawaii, because I learned how to surf.
SNO: A silly question—if you could make any flavor of ice cream, what would you put in it and what would you call it?
Jaden: I'd put some cherries, some mango, some orange juice and I'd call it Chamangoose!
Star Calendar
December 12, 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still arrives in theaters
November 2008
It was announced that Jaden is in talks to star in a remake of the 1984 hit movie The Karate Kid
Star Facts
Full Name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith
Birthdate: July 8, 1998
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Parents: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Siblings: Older half brother, Trey Smith, and younger sister, Willow Smith
Star Faves
Fave Movie: The Prestige
Fave Videogame: World of Warcraft
Fave Board Game: Monopoly
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