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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Entertainment
Rachel DeSantis

Will Smith's critically panned Netflix film 'Bright' is getting a sequel

Is that such a bright idea?

"Bright," the critically maligned Netflix film starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton as an LAPD officer and his orc partner, is getting a sequel.

The film, largely billed as the streaming company's first blockbuster, was released in December, and though Netflix claimed it was the highest-viewed Netflix film ever in its first week, reviews have been rough, to say the least.

The Wrap called it "astoundingly bad in virtually every way," IndieWire dubbed it "a fresh slice of hell" and The Hollywood Reported declared it "embarrassing."

Screenwriter Max Landis will not return for the sequel, according to Entertainment Weekly, but Smith and Edgerton will, along with director David Ayer, who will take over writing duties.

For his part, Ayer defended his film from the negative reviews, joking that he wanted to put IndieWire's F-rated review on his fridge.

"Highest compliment is a strong reaction either way. This is a f(ASTERISK)cking epic review. It's a big fun movie... Every movie is a labor of love for me. I've never chased the audience, and I know my work can be polarizing," the "Suicide Squad" director wrote on Twitter.

"Bright" reportedly pulled in 11 million views during its first three days on Netflix, and though its critics score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at a dismal 28 percent, its audience score fared much better at 88 percent.

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