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Actor Will Smith to Portray '70s Crime Boss Nicky Barnes in Netflix Series 'the Council'
By
Olowokandi Fiyin
Oct 01, 201904:00 A.M.
Will Smith will star as “Nicky Barnes” who is a crime boss in the Netflix drama “The Council.”
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A report by NBC News states that actor Will Smith will feature in new Netflix series “The Council.” The 51-year-old will play the role of “Nicky Barnes” in the thriller which focuses on a crime syndicate consisting of African-American men.
Actor Will Smith attends the Centerpiece Gala Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Concussion" during AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre | Photo: Getty Images
Nick is a crime lord best known for trafficking heroin. He joins forces with seven Black men in the drug trade calling themselves “The Council,” after a jail term.
The report explains further that the gang also had the goal of establishing a self-sufficient and self-policing African American city-state, funded by revolutionizing the drug game.
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Will Smith attends Variety's Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors To Watch Brunch at the Parker Palm Springs | Photo: Getty Images
Rolling Out adds that the story of Nick Barnes has never been told before on screen. Furthermore, the crime boss, who was born Leroy Nicholas Barnes died in 2012 while under witness protection.
But while he was alive, he was called “The Untouchable” by the New York Times. The nickname was a result of his ability to avoid getting charged for his crimes.
Actor Will Smith attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center | Photo: Getty Images
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Unfortunately, his good luck doesn’t last very long as he was arrested, convicted, and then sentenced to life in prison in 1977.
Four years later, Nick turns against “The Council” by becoming an FBI informant and testifying against his former group members. And until his death, Nick was in jail.
Will Smith attends the Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films "Gemini Man" Budapest red carpet at Buda Castle Savoy Terrace | Photo: Getty Images
According to PEOPLE, this is the second time Will is teaming up with Netflix after his appearance in 2017’s urban fantasy crime film “Bright.” The movie’s sequel is currently on hold as Will has a tight schedule. According to Lucy Fry who also appears in “Bright,”
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“We were going to do it this year, and then it didn’t happen because of Will’s schedule. And I really hope they do another one because I had so much fun making that movie. So, I just hope we get to do it again.”
Will Smith performs on stage with DJ Jazzy Jeff (not pictured) during the Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films "Gemini Man" Budapest concert at St Stephens Basilica Square | Photo: Getty Images
Meanwhile, for the filming of “The Council,” Will is working with “Concussion” director Peter Landesman, who will be doubling as a writer and executive producer.
Before this film, Will landed the role of the “Genie” in Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin.
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Will Smith meets fans at the Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films "Gemini Man" Budapest red carpet at Buda Castle Savoy Terrace in Budapest, Hungary | Photo: Getty Images
The movie went on to become the highest-grossing movie of his career after it made more than $1 billion worldwide.
Fans are looking forward to seeing Will play the role of Nick in “The Council.”
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