BlackBook

That heavy clicking you hear is the sound of all the pieces snapping into place. Perpetual sci-fi protagonist Will Smith, according to his son and After Earth co-star Jaden, can’t get enough of the dubious lessons imparted by the ultra-rich at TED conferences: “If I’m with my friends, and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, hey, where’s your dad? Let’s go say hi.’ And I’ll be like, ‘Oh, no. He’s watching hours and hours of TED Talks, just … dude, don’t go in there.’”

Alright, so, the headline. It's a fact. Justin Timberlake could play Daddy Warbucks in a new movie version of Annie. I mean, anyone could play Daddy Warbucks in a new movie version of Annie. Jon Hamm. Seth MacFarlane.  David Copperfield. Martin Short. Charlize Theron. The dead body of Johnny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix in character as Johnny Cash. Your mom. Denzel Washington. Annie Potts. Sally Struthers. Lena Dunham. Angela Bassett. See what I'm saying? Literally anyone can play Daddy Warbucks, but not just anyone should play Daddy Warbucks. The person to play Daddy Warbucks should, well, be old and white, probably. And preferably male. Justin Timberlake should not play Daddy Warbucks, but Justin Timberlake might play Daddy Warbucks. 

Remember when Willow Smith whipped her hair back and forth? Man, those were heady days... back in 2010. She's been kinda under the radar ever since, despite collaborations with Nicki Minaj. I mean, let's be honest, there's only room for one big star in the Smith household, and that will always be Will. Look what happened to Jada Pinkett Smith! (Ahhh, I just remembered her goth-metal phase. That was a fun time!) Little Willow's big break came and went, but at least she'll always have the starring role the updated reimagining of Annie, right? Think again: she's too old for the part now. Tough break, kid. (Just kidding: you'e super rich, you'll be fine.) 

You forgot Will Smith started out as a rapper, didn't you?

At the end of 2007's mostly-aright I Am Legend, Will Smith blows himself up so that humanity may live to see another day. Killing your hero would be the end for most franchises. But because this is Hollywood, and because Legend grossed the type of money that buys Porsches for everyone at the studio (including the valets!), a sequel is officially underway: Deadline reports that Warner Bros has closed a deal with writer/producer Akiva Goldsman to produce a second installment, with the intention that Smith will return to reprise his role. They say it's not a prequel, but obviously, with Smith dead at the end of the first film, some narrative trickery will be required.

Remember last week, when Will Smith posted the photo of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air mini-reunion? What a simple time! Everyone was so happy then. Uncle Phil was beaming, Hilary looked as good as ever, and Carlton was still short. But those Halcyon days didn’t last long: Janet Hubert, the original Aunt Viv, told TMZ that Will Smith is an “asshole” and that she’d never reunite with him. She’s probably still mad about the time when Will and Jazzy Jeff stole the rival school’s mascot. (“I Know Why the Caged Bird Screams,” Season 4, episode 16; look it up.)

Columbia Pictures released the first trailer for Men in Black 3 today, and it looks to have taken a serious departure from the series' first two installments. Just kidding! Will Smith is still cracking wise and neuralyzing aliens who have taken unexpected forms, while serious actors Josh Brolin and Emma Thompson have joined the crew. Watch the trailer after the time jump (you’ll get that stupid reference if you just click through).

● Madge is, as rumors have suggested, headlining the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show. [CNN]

“In West Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days. Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool, and all shootin' some b-ball outside of the school.” When Will Smith first rapped those lines in 1990, it was unclear whether he would ever leave the bright lights of Bel Air and return to Philadelphia. He had it all in California: An Uncle who was easy to poke fun at, a cousin who was easy to poke fun at, and another cousin who was also easy to poke fun at. 21 years later, Smith finally traveled back to West Philly. He won’t have to play b-ball on playgrounds anymore, however -- along with his wife Jada, Will Smith just bought part of the Philadelphia 76ers.

● Steve Jobs has stepped down from his post as Apple CEO, saying, “I have always said that if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s C.E.O., I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” [NYT] ● Someone in Australia is making a musical about Kanye West and his "struggle against the man to become the man." Sounds cool, bro. [LAT] ● Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's marriage is fine. See how hard they are smiling in all these pictures of their Malibu shopping trip? Totally casual. [TMZ]