Will Smith awarded 'Most Powerful Man in Hollywood' title

Melbourne, June 22 : Will Smith has been officially awarded the 'Most Powerful Man in Hollywood' by the US magazine Newsweek - after almost every one of his movies delivered a first-weekend gross of 30 million dollars or more.

The 39-year-old rakes in more than 20 million dollars per film, with his career to date generating box-office sales of more than 5 billion dollars worldwide, reports The Daily Telegraph.

His last film alone, 2007's 'I Am Legend', debuted with a staggering 76.5 million dollars.

It was a personal best for Smith and set the record for a US December opening for any film, leading one industry insider to declare: "Will Smith is the only thing in this business - the only thing - that represents a guaranteed opening weekend.''

The same kind of success is being predicted for Smith with the release of his new comedy, 'Hancock', opening on July 3.

Smith stars as the eponymous alcoholic ex-superhero hated by everybody. Publicist Jason Bateman attempts to resurrect Hancock's career, only to be repaid by Hancock having an affair with his wife, character played by Charlize Theron.

ANI