His film Bad Boys For Life had its theatrical run curtailed as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread.
But Will Smith was ready to welcome moviegoers for the long-delayed release in China with a public service announcement recorded partly in Mandarin, as published by TMZ.
The 51-year-old actor laid down the rules about wearing masks and social distancing, though he showed off a lighter side in a hilarious blooper video posted to his Instagram over the weekend.
Speaking their language: Will Smith, 51, filmed a PSA for reopening Chinese theaters in which he plugged his film Bad Boys For Life partly in Mandarin
Will wore a thin yellow sweater in the clip as he addressed Chinese audiences.
After announcing Bad Boys For Life in Mandarin, he launched into rules for audience members while showing a comical clip of a masked viewer.
He said that cash purchases were banned, and customers had to sit in their assigned seats and maintain social distancing.
The rules for Chinese audiences were notably stricter than in theaters that have attempted to reopen in the US.
Putting on a show: After announcing Bad Boys For Life in Mandarin, he launched into rules for audience members while showing a comical clip of a masked viewer
Safety measures: Chinese theaters will require masks, social distancing, non-cash payments and temperature checks, while food and drinks won’t be allowed
Pronunciation: Will posted a funny blooper reel to Instagram in which he mispronounced the film’s name, turning it into ‘Levee Breach,’ ‘Plane Crash,’ ‘Killer Move: Digging The Ground’ and other nonsensical phrases
Will noted that masks would be mandatory, and there was ‘no food and drink — we’re not doing food and drink.’
Even US theaters that have mandated masks have mostly said food and drink sales will be allowed, though the way many patrons munch on snacks throughout a whole film means some customers might try to go without their mask for the duration of the picture.
The Men In Blackstar also explained that theaters would be doing temperature checks of all incoming customers and anyone with a fever wouldn’t be allowed in.
Variety reported in May that some Texas theater chains would reopen with temperature checks, but most exhibitors haven’t announced that step to combat COVID-19.
The US’ failure to get the pandemic under control has forced theaters and other businesses to remain closed, even as they’re beginning to open again in other countries.
New project: On Monday, it was announced that Smith would star in a remake of the 1987 comedy classic Planes, Trains And Automobiles with Kevin Hart; pictured in May 2019
On Friday, Will shared some outtakes from the video that focused on the difficult Mandarin pronunciations and the hilarious flubs he made.
He had particular trouble with the title and ended up alternately calling his new movie, ‘Plane Crash,’ ‘Extinct Chicken’ and ‘Swift Mouth Chicken,’ and the garbled, ‘Killer Move: Digging The Ground.’
Meanwhile, his Mandarin coach could be heard off screen trying to correct him.
Ready to ride: The actors will also produce the film about two mismatched men who have to find a way home for Christmas after their flights are canceled; pictured in March 2018
Will’s next film project, a remake of Planes, Trains And Automobiles, was announced Monday by Deadline.
The occasional rapper will star opposite Kevin Hart in roles originated by Steve Martin and the late John Candy, though the report didn’t mention which roles they would play.
In the 1987 classic, who men whose flights are canceled are forced to travel together in order to get to Chicago for Christmas, despite being completely mismatched.
In addition to acting, both Smith and Hart with produce the film.