Warner Bros. has released a large batch of new Focus images from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s upcoming caper. The film revolves around a seasoned con man named Nicky (Will Smith) who becomes romantically involved with Jess, a novice con artist (Margot Robbie), only to subsequently break things off when she gets too close for comfort. Three years later, Jess—now an accomplished femme fatale—pops back into Nicky’s life, throwing his latest scheme into jeopardy.
With their previous feature, Crazy, Stupid, Love., Ficarra and Requa showed a keenness for playing with a variety of tones, and that certainly seems to be the case with Focus if the trailers are any indication of the full film. They range from funny to sexy to darkly dramatic in the span of a couple of minutes, so I’m curious to see where the finished film lands.
This project was actually initially developed as a potential vehicle for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Ficarra and Requa’s first choices for the leads, and then subsequently Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart signed on. Affleck left due to scheduling issues, and when Smith came onboard Stewart departed. Of course Robbie is the same age as Stewart (24), but somehow comes off as a less-icky romantic partner for the 46-year-old Smith.
But I digress. These new Focus images provide a clear look at the film and the fact that Smith and Robbie are both very nice looking human beings. Check them out below.
Focus opens in theaters on February 27th.
Here’s the official synopsis for Focus:
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.