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'{{Short description|2013 American science fiction action adventure film directed by M. Night Shyamalan}} {{About|the film|the heavy metal band|After Earth (band)}} {{Infobox film | name = After Earth | image = After Earth Poster.jpg | alt = <!-- See WP:ALT --> | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [[M. Night Shyamalan]] | writer = | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * [[Gary Whitta]] * M. Night Shyamalan }} | story = [[Will Smith]] | based_on = | producer = {{Plainlist| * Caleeb Pinkett * [[Jada Pinkett Smith]] * Will Smith * [[James Lassiter]] * M. Night Shyamalan }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Jaden Smith]] * Will Smith * [[Sophie Okonedo]] * [[Zoë Kravitz]] * [[Glenn Morshower]] }} | narrator = | cinematography = [[Peter Suschitzky]] | editing = [[Steven Rosenblum]] | music = [[James Newton Howard]] | studio = {{Plainlist| * [[Columbia Pictures]] * [[Overbrook Entertainment]] * [[Blinding Edge Pictures]] * [[Relativity Media]] }} | distributor = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]] | released = {{Film date|2013|5|1|[[Tokyo]]|2013|5|31|United States}} | runtime = 100 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 99m 55s --><ref>{{cite web |title= ''AFTER EARTH'' (12A) |url= https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/after-earth-2013-3 |work= [[British Board of Film Classification]] |date= May 14, 2013 |access-date= February 8, 2014}}</ref> | country = United States | language = English | budget = $130 million<ref name=FilmLA>{{Cite journal|last=FilmL.A.|title=2013 Feature Film Study|url=https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2013-Feature-Production-Report-w-Release-030614_1394125127.pdf|journal=FilmL.A. Feature Film Study|date=May 2014|access-date=August 3, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113057/https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2013-Feature-Production-Report-w-Release-030614_1394125127.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="mojo" /> | gross = $243.8 million<ref name="mojo">{{Cite Box Office Mojo|id=1815862|title=After Earth|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> }} '''''After Earth''''' is a 2013 American [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] [[action film]] directed by [[M. Night Shyamalan]], who co-wrote it with [[Gary Whitta]]. The film was loosely based on an original story idea by [[Will Smith]] about a father-and-son trip in the wilderness before it was eventually reworked into a sci-fi setting, taking place 1,000 years in the future where humans evacuated [[Earth]] to another planet due to a [[Environmental disaster|massive environmental catastrophe]]. It is the second film after ''[[The Pursuit of Happyness]]'' that stars real-life father and son Will and [[Jaden Smith]]; Will Smith also produced via his company [[Overbrook Entertainment]], and the distribution was by [[Columbia Pictures]]. The film was co-produced by John Rusk, who was also the first assistant director on this film as well as on many of Shyamalan's other films.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cormier|first=Ryan|title=The Delawarean behind Shyamalan's hits|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/2017/02/03/john-rusk-never-split-delaware/97334270/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=The News Journal|language=en-US}}</ref> The film follows father and son, Cypher and Kitai Raige, who find themselves crash-landing on the abandoned Earth. When Cypher gets injured from the crash, Kitai must travel across the wild environment in search of a backup beacon to fire a distress signal, while having to fend himself from the highly evolved animals, as well as an extraterrestrial creature that detects its prey by smelling fear. The film was released in [[IMAX]] on May 31, 2013. Upon release, ''After Earth'' was panned by film critics, who targeted the story, visuals, performances of Will and Jaden Smith, and Shyamalan's direction. It made $243.8 million at the box office against a budget of $130 million. ==Plot== <!-- On an edit on April 23, 2021, the plot section was significantly reduced from 722 to 475 words. Per WP:FILMPLOT, the plot summary should be 400-700 words. If there is anything else you feel needs to be condensed, please keep in mind this section is close to the 400 word limit, and if you feel anything else essential is missing, discuss on the talk page. --> In the future on a human-populated space colony, Nova Prime, the S'krell [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial race]] attempts to take it over with creatures called Ursas, which hunt by "sensing" fear. Peacekeeping organization The Ranger Corps defeat them with a fear-suppressing technique called "ghosting," but not before an Ursa kills Senshi, the daughter of Rangers' leader Cypher Raige. Kitai, Cypher's son, blames himself for Senshi's death. He trains to become a Ranger like Cypher, but is rejected when he applies. Kitai's mother Faia convinces Cypher to take Kitai on his last voyage before retirement. During flight, however, their spaceship is caught in an asteroid shower, causing them to crash-land on Earth, which the humans evacuated a thousand years ago due to an environmental cataclysm. The two manage to survive, but Cypher's legs are broken in the process, and the main beacon for firing a distress signal is damaged. Cypher instructs Kitai to locate the tail section of the ship, which broke off on entry to the atmosphere. Inside is the backup beacon, which they can use to signal Nova Prime. Cypher gives Kitai his weapon, a wrist communicator and six capsules of a fluid that enhances oxygen intake so he can breathe in Earth's low-oxygen atmosphere. Cypher warns him to avoid the highly evolved fauna and flora and be careful of violent thermal shifts. Kitai leaves to find the tail section, with Cypher guiding him through the communicator. Kitai confronts many of the hazards his father warned about, including attacks from baboon-like monkeys, a venomous leech, a thermal shift, and the damaging of two of his capsules. After a story from Cypher about how he conceived "ghosting" to kill the Ursas, Kitai reaches a cliffside waterfall and Cypher learns about the broken capsules. Knowing that the only way to make it with the two capsules would be to skydive, Cypher orders Kitai to abort the mission, but Kitai, believing that Cypher still sees him as a disappointment, goes against the order after a monologue of him blaming Cypher's absence at home for Senshi's death. Kitai is captured by a large condor and his communicator is damaged. In the bird's nest, Kitai tries and fails to defend her chicks against big cats before escaping to a river, where he drifts on a raft. After a sleep where he dreams of Senshi, he wakes up to a thermal shift that nearly freezes him to death. Kitai is rescued when the bird, who had lost her brood when the cats attacked, sacrifices herself for him because Kitai tried to protect her chicks. Kitai reaches the tail section and tries to activate the emergency beacon, but the atmosphere blocks the signal. Kitai learns that the ship's Ursa escaped and killed the rest of the crew. It attacks him, but Kitai is able to kill it using the "ghost" technique he learned from Cypher. Kitai climbs a volcano to fire the beacon, and he and Cypher get back to Nova Prime via a rescue team. ==Cast== * [[Jaden Smith]] as Kitai Raige ** Sincere L. Bobb as 3-year-old Kitai ** Jaden Martin as 9-year-old Kitai * [[Will Smith]] as Cypher Raige * [[Sophie Okonedo]] as Faia Raige * [[Zoë Kravitz]] as Senshi Raige * [[Glenn Morshower]] as Commander Velan * [[Kristofer Hivju]] as Security chief * [[Sacha Dhawan]] as Hesper Pilot * [[Chris Geere]] as Hesper Navigator * [[Diego Klattenhoff]] as Veteran Ranger * [[David Denman]] as Private McQuarrie * [[Lincoln Lewis]] as Bo (Running Cadet) * Shiva Prabhukumar as Training Cadet * [[Isabelle Fuhrman]] as Rayna (uncredited) ==Production== [[Will Smith]] conceived this story when he was watching the television show called ''[[I Shouldn't Be Alive]]'' with his brother-in-law Caleeb Pinkett.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqY22qmAkSM|title=AFTER EARTH: Comic Con 2012 press panel with screenwriter Gary Whitta|publisher=YouTube|author=Movie Metropolis|date=July 16, 2012|access-date=March 13, 2013}}</ref> It was originally not a science fiction story but about a father and son crashing their car in the mountains or some remote region, with the son having to go out and get rescue for his father. Smith then decided to change the setting to 1000 years in the future, which imposed a higher production budget. The film was also intended to be the first in a [[trilogy]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|date=2013-05-29|title=Can Will Smith Turn His Son Jaden Into the Next Fresh Prince of Hollywood? (Video)|url=https://www.thewrap.com/can-will-smith-turn-his-son-jaden-next-fresh-prince-hollywood-94201/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}}</ref> Smith had his production company [[Overbrook Entertainment|Overbrook]] contact [[Gary Whitta]] (who was then known for his script for ''[[The Book of Eli]]'') with a simple [[log line]] for a film: a father and son crash landed on Earth 1000 years after it had been abandoned by humankind. Impressed with his idea and excited about the opportunity to work with him, Whitta fleshed out Smith's idea and pitched it to him, subsequently becoming the first employee on the project. A month after the release of ''[[The Last Airbender (2010 film)|The Last Airbender]]'', Smith contacted [[M. Night Shyamalan]] on August 6, 2010, to wish him a "Happy Birthday" on his 40th birthday and also to persuade him to direct his film along with his son [[Jaden Smith|Jaden]] as the star.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kanchan Thakur|date=May 28, 2013|title="After Earth was born on my birthday" says filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-after-earth-was-born-on-my-birthday-says-filmmaker-m-4276546-NOR.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022031305/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-after-earth-was-born-on-my-birthday-says-filmmaker-m-4276546-NOR.html|archive-date=October 22, 2013|access-date=May 28, 2013|work=[[Dainik Bhaskar|Daily Bhaskar]]}}</ref> Smith and Shyamalan had planned to work on a film before but it never worked out. Impressed with the entire script, Shyamalan officially made this project—then entitled ''One Thousand A. E.''—his next directorial effort on October 20, 2010, and quietly shelved his own secret untitled project with [[Bruce Willis]], [[Bradley Cooper]], and [[Gwyneth Paltrow]] loosely attached.<ref name="THR-2010-10-20"/> There was another starring role for an adult male, but sources indicated that Smith would not be taking it on. [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] has a first-look deal with Overbrook, so it was expected to be the studio home for ''A. E.''<ref name="THR-2010-10-20">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/exclusive-m-night-shyamalans-new-31696|title=EXCLUSIVE: M. Night Shyamalan's New Project is 'One Thousand A.E.'|date=October 20, 2010|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|author=Borys Kit|access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref> Shyamalan later suggested the film would feature other members of the Smith family, and that it would not be in 3D but he had "an idea for something kind of technically interesting".<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom DiChiara|date=January 14, 2011|title=M. Night Shyamalan Says 'One Thousand A.E.' Won't Be 3-D, But May Feature The Whole Smith Family!|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/01/14/m-night-shyamalan-one-thousand-ae-3-d-smith-family/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607123430/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/01/14/m-night-shyamalan-one-thousand-ae-3-d-smith-family/|archive-date=June 7, 2013|access-date=March 16, 2013|publisher=MTV}}</ref> In December 2011, [[Columbia Pictures]], a subsidiary of Sony, signed up both Will and Jaden Smith to co-star in the film with Shyamalan directing. Shyamalan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with [[Gary Whitta]], also additionally co-produced the film with [[James Lassiter]], Ken Stovitz, Will Smith, and [[Jada Pinkett Smith]]. [[Doug Belgrad]], president of Columbia Pictures, made the announcement and said, "Night is an outstanding filmmaker who has a tremendous vision for this science-fiction adventure story and we couldn't be more excited to be working again with Jaden after our experiences on ''[[The Pursuit of Happyness]]'' and ''[[The Karate Kid (2010 film)|The Karate Kid]]''," and added "We're thrilled to have the two of them together on this project." Shyamalan also added, "The chance to make a scary, science-fiction film starring Jaden and Will is my dream project."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-smith-son-jaden-star-174388|title=Will Smith, Son Jaden to Star in M. Night Shyamalan Sci-Fi Movie|date=April 4, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|author=Mark Cina|access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref> Will Smith's decision to take on the starring adult male role required him to step aside in producing and starring in the Hurricane Katrina drama ''The American Can'', and offered the lead role to [[Denzel Washington]] instead. The shooting of the movie was also pushed back from September 2011 to January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/06/will_smith_denzel_washington_a.html|title=Will Smith Wants Denzel Washington for His Katrina Drama, The American Can|date=June 28, 2011|author=Claude Brodesser-Akner|publisher=[[Vulture (blog)|Vulture]]|access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref> On July 25, 2011, Smith travelled to [[Costa Rica]] accompanied by an entourage of about 20 people, including Shyamalan, to scout for locations to shoot the film.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=MysteryReview |number=97804725285683201 |title=Mr. (Will) Smith Goes to Costa Rica |first=Lynn |last=Farris |access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> They visited sites like the [[Arenal Volcano]], hot springs and a lake, and some beaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5hTc17W2t8TH2SAG0SyFf3aLVFdsA?docId=1577231|title=El artista Will Smith visita zonas turísticas de Costa Rica|publisher=[[EFE|Agencia EFE]]|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref> In September 2012, Columbia committed to a June 7, 2013 release date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/1000-ae-release-date-wanderlust/113633/|title=Will Smith's 1000 A.E. Scheduled for June 7, 2013; WANDERLUST Pushed Back to February 24, 2012|date=September 7, 2011|author=Brendan Bettinger|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref> Shyamalan also scouted locations in Philadelphia. Fifty percent of the filming was to take place at the new Sun Center Studios in Delaware County (Chester Township). Other locations would be in Costa Rica, Utah and Northern California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wmgk.com/shows/cyndy-drue/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10286409 |title=Update about M Night Shyamalan's next film |date=September 8, 2011 |author=Cyndy Drue |publisher=[[WMGK]] |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708215442/http://www.wmgk.com/shows/cyndy-drue/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10286409 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Shyamalan also visited [[Valley Forge Military Academy and College|Valley Forge Military Academy]], the filming location of ''[[Taps (film)|Taps]]'', for research of the film, then entitled ''After Earth'', as Jaden Smith would be playing a military cadet of the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/2011/09/30/video-m-night-shyamalan-visits-valley-forge-military-academy-to-research-upcoming-movie/|title=Video: M. Night Shyamalan visits Valley Forge Military Academy to research upcoming movie|date=September 30, 2011|author=Pete Bannan|publisher=Mainlinemedianews.com|access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> The screenplay by Whitta and Shyamalan was later [[Script doctor|polished]] by [[Stephen Gaghan]]<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118045980|title=Gaghan polishes Shyamalan's ''A.E.'' |first=Jeff |last=Sneider |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |year=2012 |access-date=January 31, 2012}}</ref> and [[Mark Boal]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=TheInSneider |number=156900081004589056 |title=FUN FACT: S. GAGHAN isn't the ONLY Oscar winner to work on the script for @MNightShyamalan's 1000 A.E... MARK BOAL also did a minor polish. |access-date=August 30, 2022 |first=Jeff |last=Sneider}}</ref> [[Jonathan Young (psychologist)|Jonathan Young]], a psychologist and screenwriter, polished the mythic journey structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenwriterssb.org/572/ |access-date=January 12, 2015 |title=Thurs, July 11: Story as Inner Journey |website=Screenwriters Association of Santa Barbara |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141657/http://www.screenwriterssb.org/572/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }}</ref> As reported by [[Screen Rant]] in 2020, "Some scripts sidelined Will completely in favor of his son, Jaden, but Sony wanted him on the big screen as much as possible."<ref name="Failed Franchise" /> Principal photography for ''After Earth'' began in February 2012. Much of the filming took place in [[Costa Rica]], [[Humboldt County, California|Humboldt County]] and [[Aston Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Aston]]. ''After Earth'' also became the first film from Sony to be both shot and presented in the emerging 4K digital format.<ref name="first4K">{{cite news|date=May 31, 2013|title='After Earth' HD Footage Puts Movie in Exclusive Club|work=Huffington Post|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/after-earth-hd-footage_n_3368043.html|access-date=June 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043243/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/after-earth-hd-footage_n_3368043.html|archive-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> It was primarily shot with [[Sony]]'s [[CineAlta]] F65 camera, which was shipped in January 2012.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/m-night-shyamalan-another-earth-sony-f65-camera-295476 | title=M. Night Shyamalan Shooting 'After Earth' on Sony's F65 Camera as Studio Launches Training Program | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=February 27, 2012 | access-date=April 10, 2012 | author=Giardina, Carolyn}}</ref> However, a skydiving sequence required a smaller sized [[Canon Cinema EOS]] C500 4K camera mounted on the helmet of a professional skydriver.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/cine-gear-canon-c500-used-561458|title=Cine Gear: Canon C500 Used for 'After Earth' Skydiving Sequence|author=Carolyn Giardina|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> The cinematographer [[Peter Suschitzky]] who picked Sony F65 digital camera for the movie over other digital and film cameras, argued that benefits of film are lost when shown in theaters with digital projectors, as many are today.<ref name="first4K"/> On April 19, 2013, Shyamalan then announced that the release date had been moved a week earlier to May 31, 2013<ref>{{cite tweet |user=MNightShyamalan |number=325299005447872512 |title=#AfterEarth is being released one week earlier! We're now opening on May 31! Six weeks from today! |access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> in North America and Korea, which put it against ''[[Now You See Me (film)|Now You See Me]]'' and ''[[The Purge]]'', scheduled to open in the United States in the same week. A few days later, the U.S. release of ''The Purge'' was rescheduled for June 7, 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Release Date Change for The Purge|url=https://dailydead.com/release-date-change-for-the-purge/|access-date=April 25, 2013|publisher=dailydead.com}}</ref> taking over the slot vacated by ''After Earth''. On May 3, 2013, it was revealed that [[Korean American|Korean-American]] singer [[Jay Park]] would be participating on the official soundtrack of the film in [[Korea]], with a song titled "I Like 2 Party". Then on May 5, 2013, another 30-second snippet of the song was then released with another teaser and trailer.<ref name=jaypark>{{cite web|last=Park|first=Jay|title=AFTER EARTH MOVIE TRAILER WITH I LIKE TO PARTY SNIPPET|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldmI0fP9bYY|publisher=[[Jay Park]]|access-date=May 5, 2013}}</ref> ==Marketing== The estimated worldwide marketing budget for ''After Earth'' was approximately $100 million in addition to the $130 million budget to produce the film.<ref name=NYT060213a>Brook Barnes, [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/will-smith-and-after-earth-have-dismal-opening/ Will Smith and 'After Earth' Have Dismal Opening], ''The New York Times'', June 2, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.</ref> Initial marketing began online with an internet marketing campaign on Facebook and [[Google+]], including a [[Trailer (promotion)|teaser trailer]]. Alongside the Facebook marketing is a [[Web 2.0]] site that lets people scroll through different images and paragraphs in a complex dynamic way. An image of Jaden's character "Kitai" in costume was released online on February 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/jaden-smith-shows-after-earth-stillsuit/|publisher=/Film|title=Jaden Smith Shows Off His 'After Earth' Costume|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref> Later on in the same year, another theatrical teaser was released alongside a trailer for the competing [[Joseph Kosinski]] film ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]''. On March 12, a modified version of ''After Earth''{{'}}s theatrical teaser was released as the official trailer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/previews/movies/afterearth.xml|publisher=Sony Pictures|title=After Earth}}</ref> The official trailer was broadcast as a TV Spot during late May 2013. The trailer featured the menu music of the video game ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution]]'', composed by [[Michael McCann (composer)|Michael McCann]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behaviormusic.com/projects/after-earth-trailer/ |title='AFTER EARTH' TRAILER &#124; Michael McCann &#124; Composer |publisher=Behaviormusic.com |date=March 7, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> In a stark contrast to his previous films, Shyamalan's name was notably absent from several trailers, TV commercials, and marketing signage.<ref name="MNightName">{{cite web|last=Lang |first=Derrik J. |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/shyamalan-not-orbit-after-earth-marketing |title=Shyamalan not in orbit of 'After Earth' marketing |publisher=Bigstory.ap.org |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Instead, Sony Pictures opted to feature Will and Jaden Smith prominently in the marketing campaign.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kroll |first=Justin |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/m-night-shyamalan-blackout-falls-on-after-earth-1200485989/#!1/673m-the-sixth-sense-1999/ |title=Shyamalan Losing Cachet: Sony Focuses 'After Earth' Jaden, Will Smith |magazine=Variety |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sony's worldwide marketing and distribution chairman, Jeff Blake, said that "Night is, without a doubt, a world-class filmmaker who we were thrilled to team up with on this project," but "Together, we decided to focus our campaign on both the action and both Will and Jaden given that 'After Earth' is an adventure story of a father and son." Alex Suskind of [[Moviefone]] pointed out to Shyamalan that ''After Earth'' was not being marketed on the strength of his name unlike his previous projects, to which he responded, "There's such a specific expectation that comes with a name. It's nice to have people watch the movie and then have them talk about the storyteller; it's a healthy balance."<ref>{{cite web|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=May 29, 2013|title=M. Night Shyamalan on Bad Reviews and Tackling Sci-Fi—The Moviefone Blog|url=http://news.moviefone.com/2013/05/29/m-night-shyamalan-after-earth-interview/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607183344/http://news.moviefone.com/2013/05/29/m-night-shyamalan-after-earth-interview/|archive-date=June 7, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2013|publisher=News.moviefone.com}}</ref> On April 24, [[X Prize Foundation|XPRIZE]], Sony and Overbrook launched the XPRIZE After Earth Challenge, a robotics competition to promote the May 31 release of ''After Earth''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xprize.org/press-release/sony-pictures-entertainment-overbrook-entertainment-xprize-join-forces-to-launch |title=Sony Pictures Entertainment, Overbrook Entertainment & Xprize Join Forces To Launch Robotics Competition |publisher=XPRIZE |date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624002919/http://www.xprize.org/press-release/sony-pictures-entertainment-overbrook-entertainment-xprize-join-forces-to-launch |archive-date=June 24, 2013 }}</ref> The film [[Film premiere|premiered]] on May 29 at [[Ziegfeld Theatre (1969)|Ziegfeld Theatre]] in New York City, with a wide variety of celebrities attending including [[Bruce Willis]], [[50 Cent]], [[Spike Lee]], and [[Justin Bieber]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allentertainment4ever.blogspot.com/2020/02/after-earth-2013.html |title='After Earth' NYC Premiere: Will and Jaden Smith Mingle With Some Famous Friends (PHOTOS) |date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> Canadian comedian [[Russell Peters]] who made fun of Shyamalan when accepting the [[Golden Raspberry Award|Razzie Award]] on his behalf for ''[[The Last Airbender (2010 film)|The Last Airbender]]''<ref name="allentertainment4ever.blogspot.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/2011/02/27/17425591.html |title=Shyamalan cleans up at Razzies |author=Bruce Kirkland |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=February 27, 2011<!-- 1:49&nbsp;am-->}}</ref> also attended and even posed with Shyamalan.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=therealrussellp |number=339956232607649792 |title=#AfterEarthMoviePremier Jada, Will & M Night |access-date=August 30, 2022 |first=Russell |last=Peters}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=MNightShyamalan |number=339951341587808256 |title=Hanging out with @therealrusselp and @vinnyguadagnino at the #AfterEarth premiere! |access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> [[Sony Electronics]] hosted an exclusive 4K screening of ''After Earth'' at the Paramount Studios Theater on Friday May 31 during the 2013 Cine Gear Expo in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=162282 |title=Hollywood, Geared Up |publisher=4rfv.co.uk |date=May 7, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215414/http://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=162282 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}</ref> The event was held for registered Cine Gear Expo attendees and Sony guests from 6:30-9:30 pm<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinegearexpo.com/category/seminars/full-schedule/ |title=Full Schedule |publisher=Cine Gear Expo |date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512070741/http://www.cinegearexpo.com/category/seminars/full-schedule |archive-date=May 12, 2013 }}</ref> followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and production team. After guests filled the 500-plus-seat theater,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=SonyProUSA |number=340648140329873408 |title=Packed house for the "After Earth" 4K showing at #Sony #CineGear |access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> a second screening was held on Saturday, June 1, 2013, in order to accommodate additional guests<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/cine-gear-earth-4k-draws-561643 |title=Cine Gear: 'After Earth' in 4K Draws Crowd; Why iTunes Will Go Ultra HD Before TV Nets |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. On June 6, the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) partnered with Sony Pictures International to support the release of the film, stating that it shares common themes in the film of concern for Earth's future and educating the next generation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/ESA/Competition/Explore_After_Earth_with_us |title=Explore After Earth with us |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] |date=2013-06-06 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> ESA and Sony are holding the ''After Earth'' competition to win the opportunity to go to [[Bordeaux]], France, and have a 'space experience' in weightlessness on a 'parabolic' flight on Novespace's ZERO-G aircraft. The winner would have received paid travel expenses to and from Bordeaux and one night's accommodation for two people and would only be eligible to participate in the [[reduced gravity aircraft]] on October 25 following a medical exam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/ESA/Competition/After_Earth_competition_rules |title=After Earth competition rules |publisher=[[European Space Agency]] |date=2013-06-06 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> ===Books=== Several books were released as supplemental [[tie-ins]] for the film: ''After Earth: Innocence'' by [[Michael Jan Friedman]] and [[Robert Greenberger]], illustrated by Benito Lobel. ''Innocence'' is a prequel comic book to ''After Earth'' released by [[Del Rey Books]] on November 14, 2012. ''After Earth: United Ranger Corps Survival Manual'' is an illustrated manual that describes the After Earth universe from the history of the United Ranger Corps written by Robert Greenberger. It was published through Insight Editions LLC and released on May 21, 2013. The book also follows humanity's exodus from Earth, and the ongoing battle against the Skrel. It contains the secrets of ghosting, the mastery of the cutlass, a schematic of the Ranger base, a complete guide to the highly evolved animals of Earth, and a handwritten journal entry from Cypher Raige. ''After Earth: A Perfect Beast'' ("The official prequel novel of the epic film ''After Earth''") by Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, and Peter David is set nearly 600 years after humanity finds, and colonizes, the planet Nova Prime. The paperback book, published by Del Rey Books on April 30, 2013, is set about 300 years after the last Skrel attack and the Rangers are in danger of being disbanded. Then, the Skrel attack with a new weapon—a bioweapon. The book also contains supplemental stories set just over 400 years further into the future. Main focus is on the ''Raige'' family and their Ranger heritage. ''After Earth: Kitai's Journal'' written by Christine Peymani and illustrated by Jason A. Katzenstein is a [[paperback]] book with black-and-white illustrations for younger readers released by [[HarperCollins]] on May 21, 2013. ''After Earth: The Official Movie Novelization'' by [[Peter David]] was released in paperback by publishing company [[Del Rey Books]] on May 28, 2013. The book features an expanded story of the film as well as supplemental stories. ==Box office== During its opening weekend, ''After Earth'' took in $27.5 million in box office receipts in the United States and Canada.<ref name="THR060513" /> Sony Pictures projected a launch of around $38 million, but the actual number was 17% lower than the lowest pre-release expectation of $33 million.<ref name=NYT060213a/><ref name=LAT053013a>Amy Kaufman, [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-box-office-after-earth-fast-furious-20130530,0,946475.story 'Fast & Furious 6' to speed past 'After Earth' at the box office], ''Los Angeles Times'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.</ref> It finished in third place behind ''[[Fast & Furious 6]]'', an [[action film]], and ''[[Now You See Me (film)|Now You See Me]]'', a [[caper film]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Movies |url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/now-you-see-me-beats-after-earth-thursday-box-office-94701 |title='Now You See Me' Beats 'After Earth' at Thursday Box Office &#124; The Wrap Movies |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=Thewrap.com |access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Taking into account the popularity of principal actor Will Smith, the disappointing finish led ''The Wall Street Journal'' to call it a "[[Box office bomb|flop]]".<ref name=WSJ060213>Ben Fritz, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324423904578521542174762344 Will Smith's 'After Earth' Flops at Box Office], ''The Wall Street Journal'', June 2, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.</ref> Ray Subers of [[Box Office Mojo]] noted the $27 million weekend placed it between 2 sci-fi flops of [[2012 in film|2012 films]] with 200 million-plus budgets, ''[[Battleship (film)|Battleship]]'' ($25.5 million) and ''[[John Carter (film)|John Carter]]'' ($30.2 million), and also drew half of the co-stars' previous openings, [[Will Smith]]'s ''[[Men in Black 3]]'' ($54.6 million) and [[Jaden Smith]]'s ''[[The Karate Kid (2010 film)|The Karate Kid]]'' ($55.7 million).<ref name=BOM060213>Ray Subers, [https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3687 Weekend Report: 'Fast' Falls, Magicians Make Will Smith Disappear], Box Office Mojo, June 2, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.</ref> Scott Mendelson from ''[[Forbes]]'' argued that Sony made a mistake of not using [[M. Night Shyamalan]]'s name to market the film, writing, "His name on the marquee reflects that you're not going to get a conventional genre film, that there may be something else up its sleeve."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/06/05/why-sony-was-wrong-to-hide-m-night-shyamalan-while-marketing-after-earth/ |title=Why Sony Was Wrong To Hide M. Night Shyamalan While Marketing 'After Earth' |magazine=Forbes |date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=June 9, 2013 |first=Scott |last=Mendelson}}</ref> Sony Pictures spokesman Steve Elzer said a weekend take of about $30 million in the United States and Canada would be a solid number for a movie that is not a branded sequel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sinha |first=Piya |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-afterearth-idUSBRE94U1A520130531 |title='After Earth' leaves critics cold ahead of competitive weekend |work=Reuters |access-date=June 7, 2013 |date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer said "Certainly we would have liked to have done more, but this was always going to be a worldwide play."<ref>{{cite news|last=McNary |first=Dave |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/now-you-see-me-pulls-28-mil-plus-rabbit-beating-after-earth-with-27-mil-1200491051/ |title=Box Office: 'Now You See Me' Beats Will Smith Film 'After Earth' |work=Variety |date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' reported Sony insiders also estimated a potential loss at about $20 million if the film does not gross high overseas, though estimates of top executives at several other rival studios are much higher. The film ended up losing on about $30 million overseas and rival top executives were then proven right.<ref name="THR060513">Kim Masters, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-smiths-earth-apocalypse-who-562668 Will Smith's 'After Earth' Apocalypse: Who Loses Most], ''The Hollywood Reporter'', June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.</ref> On ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'', Will Smith admitted he was also disappointed with the box office performance and joked "Here's how I think about it, Jimmy, let's be honest. Three is the new one. You know how many ones it takes to make a 3?" and "It's been almost, like, in over 2 decades since I had a movie that wasn't number one! ... That's over now, buddy! Thanks!"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/will-smith-disappointed-after-earth-box-office-video_n_3400751.html |title=Will Smith Disappointed In 'After Earth' Box Office: It's Been Two Decades Since I Wasn't Number One (VIDEO) |work=Huffington Post |access-date=June 7, 2013 |first=Jason |last=Hughes |date=June 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Beard |first=Lanford |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/06/07/will-smith-after-earth-jimmy-kimmel/ |title=Will Smith talks to Jimmy Kimmel about 'After Earth' disappointment &#124; PopWatch &#124; EW.com |publisher=Popwatch.ew.com |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> On the worldwide release the following week, ''After Earth'' took in an estimated $45.5 million in 60 overseas markets, narrowly beating ''Fast & Furious 6'' estimates of $45.3 million for the No. 1 spot at the international box office.<ref>{{cite web|author=Movies |url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/after-earth-rebounds-tops-overseas-box-office-455m-96211 |title='After Earth' Rebounds, Leads Overseas Box Office With $45.5M &#124; The Wrap Movies |publisher=Thewrap.com |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="screendaily">{{cite web|last=Kay |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/box-office/after-earth-edges-out-fast-6/5057155.article?blocktitle=Latest-News&contentID=1846 |title=After Earth edges out Fast & Furious 6 at international box office &#124; News &#124; Screen |publisher=Screendaily.com |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Including the film's launch in South Korea, ''After Earth'' made an estimated total of $48.6 million at the international box office, bringing its worldwide gross to an estimated $95,192,000. Sources for [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony Pictures International Releasing]] said the overall launch was bigger than debuts in the same territories of [[Oblivion (2013 film)|''Oblivion'']] ($45.1 million), ''[[The Last Airbender (2010 film)|The Last Airbender]]'' ($42.7 million) and Jaden Smith vehicle [[The Karate Kid (2010 film)|''The Karate Kid'']] ($32.3 million).<ref name="screendaily"/> Sony distribution chief Rory Bruer said that Sony was happy with the overseas opening and expects much of the film's ticket sales to come from international markets and "It definitely was the exciting start we were looking for internationally."<ref>{{cite news|last=Grover |first=Ronald |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/box-office-idINDEE95807A20130609 |title='The Purge' scares off 'Fast & Furious' crew to take box office lead &#124; Reuters |publisher=In.reuters.com |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The film's final numbers were $60.5 million in North America and $243.8 million worldwide.<ref name="mojo"/> ==Reception== ===Critical response=== On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 11% based on 211 reviews and an average rating of 3.90/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "''After Earth'' is a dull, ploddingly paced exercise in sentimental sci-fi—and the latest setback for director M. Night Shyamalan's once-promising career."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=after_earth|type=m|title=After Earth|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 33 out of 100 based on 41 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite Metacritic|id=after-earth|type=movie|title=After Earth|access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-will-smiths-561460 |title=Box Office Shocker: Will Smith's 'After Earth' Narrowly Loses Friday to 'Now You See Me' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 6, 2013 |access-date=June 2, 2013 |first=Pamela |last=McClintock}}</ref> <!-- Negative reviews --> [[Joe Morgenstern]], film critic for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', opened his review by asking: "Is ''After Earth'' the worst movie ever made?" His answer was "Maybe not; there's always ''[[Battlefield Earth (film)|Battlefield Earth]]'' to remind us how low the bar can go."<ref name=WSJreview>Joe Morgenstern, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324412604578515000854294308 FILM REVIEW: Muddle-'Earth'], ''The Wall Street Journal'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.</ref> Like Morgenstern, [[Manohla Dargis]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' made note of the film's use of central themes in [[Scientology]] before concluding the film was nothing more than a "big-screen vanity project".<ref name=NYTreview>Manohla Dargis, [https://movies.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/movies/after-earth-starring-will-smith-and-jaden-smith.html MOVIE REVIEW: A Father-Son Outing Goes Terribly Wrong], ''The New York Times'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.</ref> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reviewer Betsy Sharkey wondered how the elder Smith could have gone from the charismatic performance in the serious film ''[[The Pursuit of Happyness]]'', also co-starring his son, to the performance in ''After Earth''. She also saw compounding problems in the creative process leading to a lack of subtlety and nuance: "The script has no nuance, none. And when Shyamalan moves into the director's chair, the script problems are magnified."<ref name=LATreview>Betsy Sharkey, [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-after-earth-review-20130531,0,5520934.story Review: 'After Earth' crashes on take-off], ''Los Angeles Times'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.</ref> Scott Foundas of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' opined that the film was further proof that Shyamalan had become a "director-for-hire", with "his disinterest palpable from first frame to last".<ref>Scott Foundas, [https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/after-earth-film-review-a-nasty-planet-1200489562/ Film Review: 'After Earth'], ''Variety'', May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref><ref>Scott Foundas, [http://www.dustinputman.com/reviews/a/13_afterearth.htm Film After Earth (2013)], ''Dustin Putman'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film one star out of five, calling it "another uncompromisingly terrible film ... featuring a triple-whammy of abysmal acting, directing and story" and saying that Jaden Smith "plays the role throughout with a face like a smacked bum" and "Kitai [Jaden Smith's character] must be like his dad: show no fear. Or any emotion. Or any acting talent of any sort."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/06/after-earth-review |title=After Earth—review|work=The Guardian|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2013|location=London}}</ref> <!-- Positive reviews --> [[Matt Zoller Seitz]] of [[Roger Ebert|RogerEbert.com]] awarded the film 3.5 stars out of 4 and commented that the movie is "a moral tale disguised as a sci-fi blockbuster. It's no classic, but it's a special movie: spectacular and wise."<ref>{{cite web|last=Winter |first=Max |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/after-earth-2013 |title=After Earth Movie Review & Film Summary (2013) |publisher=Roger Ebert |access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> Jim Vejvoda of [[IGN]] awarded the film a 6.7 out of 10 and commented, "M. Night Shyamalan isn't quite back in top form here, but ''After Earth'' is certainly the best movie he's made in years."<ref>{{cite web|author=Jim Vejvoda |url= https://ign.com/articles/2013/05/30/after-earth-review |title=After Earth Review—IGN |website= IGN |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> [[Charlie Jane Anders]] of [[io9]] commented that "Having suffered through [[The Last Airbender (2010 film)|''Last Airbender'']], I can attest that this film is no ''Last Airbender''... ''After Earth'' stays grounded, and manages to tell a pretty decent story."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/shyamalans-new-film-is-a-huge-disappointment-because-510631618 |title=Shyamalan's new film is a huge disappointment (because it's not awful) |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=Io9.com |access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> <!-- Mixed reviews? --> The [[special effects]] received a mixed response. Rene Rodriguez of ''[[The Miami Herald]]'' said that "the CGI creatures in the film look as fake as the monkeys in ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]''".<ref>{{Cite web|first=Rene |last=Rodriguez |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/things-to-do/article225688975.html |title='After Earth' (PG-13) |website=[[The Miami Herald]] |date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> Charlie McCollum of the ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'' called them "surprisingly unconvincing, a step or two above the effects in those deliberately cheese ball sci-fi flicks the [[Syfy]] channel shows on Saturday night."<ref>Charlie McCollum, [http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_23345339/review-after-earth-planet-avoid Review: 'After Earth' a planet to avoid], ''San Jose Mercury News'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> Michael O'Sullivan of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called the production design "blandly generic" and the special effects, props and costumes "cheap and slapdash-looking".<ref>Michael O'Sullivan, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/after-earth-movie-review/2013/05/30/0372720e-c93e-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html 'After Earth' movie review], ''The Washington Post'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> However, Austin Kennedy of ''Film Geek Central'' said the special effects were "top-notch",<ref>Austin Kennedy, [http://filmgeekcentral.com/2013/05/31/austin-reviews-m-night-shyamalans-after-earff-starring-will-smith-son/ Austin reviews M. Night Shyamalan's AFTER EARFF, starring Will Smith and son!!!], ''Film Geek Central'', May 31, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2013.</ref> John Depko and Susanne Perez of ''[[Daily Pilot]]'' called them "impressive",<ref>{{cite news|author=John Depko |author2=Susanne Perez |url=http://www.dailypilot.com/entertainment/tn-dpt-et-0607-reel-critics-20130605,0,4832399.story |title=Reel Critics: 'After Earth' not quite out of this world |newspaper=[[Daily Pilot]] |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref> Nathan Duke of ''[[Patch Media]]'' said they were "impressive enough",<ref>{{cite web|last=Duke |first=Nathan |url=http://foresthills.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/this-week-at-the-movies_ec02f17c |title=This Week at the Movies—Arts and Entertainment—Forest Hills, NY Patch |publisher=[[Patch Media]] |date=June 3, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2013}}</ref> and Peter Feldman of [[The Citizen (South Africa)|''The Citizen'']] described them as "solid".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/movie-reviews?oid=434213&sn=Detail&pid=146826&Survival-in-snooze-mode |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616042549/http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/movie-reviews?oid=434213&sn=Detail&pid=146826&Survival-in-snooze-mode |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |title=The Citizen Online &#124; Survival in snooze mode—Movie Reviews |newspaper=[[The Citizen (South Africa)|The Citizen]] |author=Peter Feldman |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2013 }}</ref> <!-- Review from notable persons follow. See examples on [[Life of Pi (film)]], include reviews from [[Barack Obama]] and [[Anne Hathaway]]. Aldrin's comment of "After Earth is not realistic" highly cited in the news (google for: buzz aldrin "after earth") --> American astronaut [[Buzz Aldrin]] said the movie is "quite action packed" and a "touching father/son story"<ref>{{cite tweet |user=TheRealBuzz |number=339924394275127298 |title=Just saw the world premiere of @AfterEarth w/Will Smith & @OfficialJaden. Quite action packed & a touching father/so… |first=Buzz |last=Aldrin |access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref> but is not realistic because "there was a lot of noise. In space, you don't get that much noise,"<ref name="Aldrin_AP">{{cite news|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PEOPLE_BUZZ_ALDRIN_GCLB-?SITE=MABED&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |title=Astronaut Buzz Aldrin: 'After Earth' was a great drama but noisier than real space |agency=Associated Press |author=JOHN CARUCCI |date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> a quote that is highly cited in the news<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/buzz-aldrin-after-earth-isnt-realistic_n_3365051.html |title=Buzz Aldrin: 'After Earth' Isn't Realistic Because There's No Noise In Space |work=Huffington Post |access-date=June 2, 2013 |date=May 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=John Carucci |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/05/31/aldrin-after-earth/2376733/ |title=Buzz Aldrin says 'After Earth' isn't realistic |work=USA Today |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=JOHN CARUCCI |agency=Associated Press |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/aldrin-earth-noisier-space-19291690 |title=Aldrin: 'After Earth' Noisier Than Space Really Is |publisher=[[ABC News]] |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> and misconstrued as him nitpicking<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s1.ibtimes.com/buzz-aldrin-nitpicks-after-earth-scientific-mistake-space-no-one-can-hear-explosion-1289285 |title=Buzz Aldrin Nitpicks 'After Earth' Scientific Mistake: In Space, No One Can Hear An Explosion |publisher=S1.ibtimes.com |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609011540/http://s1.ibtimes.com/buzz-aldrin-nitpicks-after-earth-scientific-mistake-space-no-one-can-hear-explosion-1289285 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tamarra Kemsley |url=http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/2262/20130604/buzz-aldrin-points-out-inaccuracies-earth.htm |title=Buzz Aldrin Points Out Inaccuracies in "After Earth" : Space |publisher=Nature World News |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> or panning the film.<ref>{{cite web|author=Trent Moore |url=http://www.blastr.com/2013-5-31/buzz-aldrin-blasts-after-earth-lack-spacefaring-realism |title=Buzz Aldrin blasts After Earth for lack of spacefaring realism |publisher=Blastr |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Poeter |first=Damon |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2419809,00.asp |title=Buzz Aldrin Talks Up Mars Colony, Pans 'After Earth' &#124; News & Opinion |magazine=PCMag.com |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> Aldrin was impressed by the set design stating that "the scenes of the cities were really remarkable" but differed significantly from his experience on the moon, which he described as "'magnificent desolation' in contrast to the magnificent experience that humanity could move itself ahead to get to the moon."<ref name="Aldrin_AP"/> ===Will Smith's response=== In a 2015 interview with ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Smith called ''After Earth'' "the most painful failure in his career" and expressed regret over leading his son into the film. He also unfavorably compared the experience to ''[[Wild Wild West]]'' (1999), which also underperformed expectations at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schulz|first1=Lisa|title=Will Smith Calls 'After Earth' the 'Most Painful Failure' of His Career|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/will-smith-after-earth-comment-most-painful-failure-of-his-career-1201432773/|website=Variety|access-date=February 13, 2015|date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> ===4K screening=== Ryan Nakashima of [[Associated Press]] was generally impressed with the film's [[4K resolution]] picture quality, though the visual-effects shots that composed about a third of the movie were done in [[2K resolution]] to save on cost and time.<ref name="first4K" /> Nakashima commented "I could see details I've never noticed before—the actors' tiny skin imperfections, or Smith's salt-and-pepper whiskers. In a distant shot of Smith's son Jaden running down a riverbed, I was struck by how many small rocks were defined clearly from such a distance. Yet other shots that included computer-generated cityscapes or otherworldly creatures looked less sharp." The cinematographer [[Peter Suschitzky]] was apologetic about that, saying "The movie is only half in true 4K. I'm sad about that. It still looks good."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/after-earth-among-1st-movies-to-be-shot-shown-in-4k-1.1305890 |access-date=November 22, 2016|title='After Earth' among 1st movies to be shot, shown in 4K|date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Scott Wilkinson of AVS was similarly impressed by the visual effects (though he did not enjoy the movie itself): "Even sitting too far away, the movie itself looked gorgeous—sharp as a tack with beautiful colors. The smallest details, such as Jaden Smith's character in the far distance, somehow looked clearer than I would have expected under normal circumstances; I got the distinct impression that the image could have been blown up by quite a bit and no detail would have been lost. The CGI animals did look a bit artificial, but that didn't bother me very much at all."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avsforum.com/t/1475530/after-earth-screening-in-native-4k |title=After Earth Screening in Native 4K |publisher=Avsforum.com |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609143904/http://www.avsforum.com/t/1475530/after-earth-screening-in-native-4k |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Controversies== ===Scientology hypothesis=== Some critics were struck by what they saw as parallels in the movie's plot, dialogue and imagery with the [[Scientology]] teachings of [[L. Ron Hubbard]],<ref name=WSJreview/> particularly those in ''[[Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health]]''<ref name="NYTreview" /> and ''Dianetics: The Original Thesis''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Horn |first=John |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-will-smith-after-earth-scientology-20130530,0,4385437.story |title=Will Smith's 'After Earth': Answers to six burning questions |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> Similarly, [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' compared the film to the "flop" ''[[Battlefield Earth (film)|Battlefield Earth]]'', describing the film as "an unholy mess of platitudes and posturing" that wastes the talents and charm of Will Smith.<ref name=RSreview>Peter Travers, [https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/after-earth-20130530 After Earth], ''Rolling Stone'', May 30, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.</ref> Pointing out Smith's alleged ties to Scientology, including his funding of [[New Village Leadership Academy]], a school that uses [[Study Tech]] as its teaching method, Matt Patches of ''[[Vulture (blog)|Vulture]]'' declared the movie probably the clearest evidence of Smith's investment in Scientology, and detailed how he saw the film paralleling its teachings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patches |first=Matt |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/05/after-earth-will-smith-love-letter-to-scientology.html |title=After Earth: Will Smith's Paean to Scientology |publisher=Vulture |access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' published a guest-column review written by former Scientology member Marc Headley which pointed out similar parallels.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-scientologist-reviews-earth-guest-561310 |title=A Former Scientologist Reviews 'After Earth' (Guest Column) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-09 |first=Marc |last=Headley}}</ref> [[David S. Touretzky]], a research professor at [[Carnegie Mellon University|Carnegie Mellon]] and a well-known expert on and critic of Scientology dismissed these perceived parallels: "I don't see any Scientology content at all in this movie." He told Rich Juzwiak of [[Gawker]]: {{blockquote|The themes of the movie appear to be standard adventure fare: physical courage, coming of age, father/son relationships, battling danger to prove oneself and earn a father's respect. These are not Scientology themes. There is no mention of evil psychiatrists, mind control, [[Engram (Dianetics)|engrams]], etc.}} Touretzky also addressed multiple points made by the Scientology hypothesis including the film's marketing materials prominently featuring a volcano: {{blockquote|The original version of Dianetics did not have any pictures on the cover. After Hubbard dreamed up [[Operating Thetan|OT III]] around 1967, someone got the idea of putting a volcano on the cover of ''Dianetics'' to 'restimulate the engrams' of us nonbelievers and influence us to buy the book. But most Scientologists don't know anything about OT III or why there is a volcano on the cover of some versions of ''Dianetics''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/after-earth-is-just-a-shitty-movie-not-scientology-pro-510569401 |title=After Earth Is Just a Shitty Movie, Not Scientology Propaganda |publisher=Gawker.com |access-date=2013-06-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608192949/http://gawker.com/after-earth-is-just-a-shitty-movie-not-scientology-pro-510569401 |archive-date=2013-06-08 }}</ref>}} A parody website ''cheerupwillsmith.com'', which was created for the purpose of cheering up Will Smith with the perceived failure of ''After Earth'', gained some attention in the media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/parody-site-seeks-to-cheer-up-will-smith-after-movie-flop |title=Parody site seeks to cheer up Will Smith after movie flop |publisher=msn.com |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610104427/http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/parody-site-seeks-to-cheer-up-will-smith-after-movie-flop |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Plott |first=Elaina |url=http://observer.com/2013/06/cheer-up-will-smith-scientologists-love-after-earth/ |title=Cheer Up, Will Smith! Scientologists Love After Earth |newspaper=Observer |access-date=2013-06-10}}</ref> Flyers were also posted in [[East Village, Manhattan]] requesting Scientology members to see ''After Earth'' a minimum of three times and then upload a positive video for Will Smith on that website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://evgrieve.com/2013/06/east-village-flyer-tells-church-of.html |title=East Village flyer tells Church of Scientology members that they must see 'After Earth'—3 times |publisher=EV Grieve |date=2013-06-06 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> The site has a video [[mockumentary]] of two [[Sea Org]] members, along their way to see ''After Earth'', recording video praises for Will Smith from strangers and cajoling them into signing a billion-year contract with the Church of Scientology. When they delivered the signatures to a local branch of the church near [[Times Square]], a church representative told them they were impersonating the church and threatened to call the police if they do not leave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheerupwillsmith.com/ |title=Cheerupwillsmith.com}}</ref> The video and the site was created by Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler of the comedy duo ''The Good Liars''<ref name="ddot_scientology">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/scientology-after-earth-parody/ |title=Did the Church of Scientology silence this "After Earth" parody? |work=[[The Daily Dot]] |author=Joe Kloc | date=2013-06-11 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargocollective.com/thegoodliars/The-Good-Liars |title=The Good Liars |publisher=Cargocollective.com |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> who had previously pretended to be [[Time Warner Cable]] representatives asking people how they can make service worse for customers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130405/14453422602/time-warner-cable-systematically-looking-to-shut-down-parodists-accounts.shtml |title=Time Warner Cable Systematically Looking To Shut Down Parodist's Accounts |publisher=[[Techdirt]] |author=Mike Masnick |date=April 5, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> The [[Church of Scientology International]] branded the Scientology claims as "silly nonsense" and a myth launched by a handful of self-promoters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/church-of-scientology-responds-to-after-earth-comparisons-calling-it-silly-nonsense-19861/ |title=Church of Scientology responds to 'After Earth' comparisons, calling it 'silly nonsense' |publisher=The Global Dispatch |date=Jun 9, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-26}}</ref> The church's director of public affairs, Karin Pouw, stated to ''TheImproper'' magazine that "The film and its story line contain themes common to many of the world's philosophies, not unique to Scientology." While Pouw did not dispute the similarities, she countered that overcoming fear has been a universal theme in stories for thousands of years as well central to countless film plots. She noted the same logic would seemingly make ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' a Scientology-themed movie, which includes the dialogue, "Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theimproper.com/81372/church-calls-after-earths-scientology-links-silly-nonsense |title=Church Calls 'After Earth's' Scientology Links 'Silly Nonsense'|publisher=TheImproper.com |date=June 8, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Later, domain registrar and web-hosting company [[Go Daddy]] took down ''cheerupwillsmith.com'' citing "Copyright Infringement, Trademark Infringement, and False Identity." Joe Kloc of ''The Daily Dot''<!-- tedious statement required to avoid [[WP:OR]] issues, an encyclopedia must not "presume" --> presumes the complaints came from the Church of Scientology.<ref name="ddot_scientology" /> ===Alleged nepotism allegations=== There was heavy criticism of [[Jaden Smith]]'s role in the film. [[Christopher Orr (film critic)|Christopher Orr]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' stated, "He is entirely lacking in the big-screen charisma that made his father one of Hollywood's major stars."<ref>{{cite web|author=Christopher Orr |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/the-awful-i-after-earth-i/276417/ |title=The Awful After Earth—Christopher Orr |work=The Atlantic |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> Gary Wolcott of ''[[Tri-City Herald]]'' commented that "the 15-year old Jaden doesn't appear to demonstrate much talent and has zero charisma."<ref>{{cite web|author=Gary Wolcott, atomictown.com|title=After Earth: It leaves a bad movie aftertaste|url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/05/30/2414432/after-earth-it-leaves-a-bad-movie.html|access-date=2013-05-31|archive-date=2013-06-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616042428/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/05/30/2414432/after-earth-it-leaves-a-bad-movie.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} 16 June 2013</ref> Alex Pappademas of [[Grantland]] referred to ''After Earth'' as a "parade-float tribute to [[nepotism]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grantland.com/features/will-smith-earth-crash-lands/|title=Crash Landing on Planet Nepotism|website=grantland.com|publisher=Grantland|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2016}}</ref> Mikhail Lecaros of GMA calls the movie "devoid of common sense and purpose (save for nepotism)."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/311966/lifestyle/movie-review-nepotism-is-real-after-earth-is-a-choice|title=Movie review: Nepotism is real. 'After Earth' is a choice.|website=gmanetwork.com|publisher=GMA|author=Mikhail Lecaros|date=June 8, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2016}}</ref> In response to the nepotism allegations, Gary Susman of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine argued, "In Hollywood, such nepotism is no sin; in fact, it's often a selling point."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2013/06/04/relative-value-10-movies-with-father-child-stars/|title=Family Ties: 10 Movies with Father-Child Stars|author=Gary Susman|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=June 3, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> David S. Cohen of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' pointed out that "putting family members into projects is hardly new, yet it rarely inspires such vituperation.<ref name="variety_analysis">{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/after-earth-picking-up-the-pieces-1200495585/|title=How did Will Smith's bid for a franchise go so wrong in the U.S.?|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|author=David S. Cohen |date=June 12, 2013| access-date=June 19, 2013}}</ref> Abena Agyeman-Fisher of [[Radio One (company)#Other properties|NewsOne.com]] suggested that the allegations were thinly veiled racism and an example of a [[double standard]] being applied to black people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsone.com/2530136/after-earth-movie-review-racism/ |title=After Earth Movie Review Racism: Is Will And Jaden Smith's 'After Earth' Being Sabotaged By Racists? &#124; Breaking News for Black America |publisher=Newsone.com |date=June 4, 2013 |access-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> However Charlie Lyne of ''[[The Guardian]]'' writes that nepotism has traditionally carried a stigma.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/07/after-earth-nepotism-in-film|title=After Earth: keeping it in the family|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Charlie Lyne|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2016}}</ref> ==Awards and nominations== {{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Nominee !! Result<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1815862/awards |title= After Earth (2013)—Awards |website=[[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"|2013 || [[MTV Movie Award]] || Summer's Biggest Teen Bad Ass Star || [[Jaden Smith]] || {{nom}} |- | [[World Soundtrack Academy|World Soundtrack Award]] || Film Composer of the Year<br /><small>Also for ''[[The Bourne Legacy (film)|The Bourne Legacy]]''</small> || [[James Newton Howard]] || {{nom}} |- | rowspan="6"|2014 || rowspan="6"|[[Golden Raspberry Award]] || [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]] || ''After Earth'' || {{nom}} |- | [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor|Worst Actor]] || [[Jaden Smith]] || {{won}} |- | [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]] || [[Will Smith]] || {{won}} |- | [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director|Worst Director]] || [[M. Night Shyamalan]] || {{nom}} |- | [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]] || [[M. Night Shyamalan]] and [[Gary Whitta]] (screenplay); [[Will Smith]] (story) || {{nom}} |- | [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo|Worst Screen Combo]] || [[Jaden Smith]] and [[Will Smith]] || {{won}} |} ==Cancelled franchise== In March 2018,<ref name="The Big Picture publisher">{{Cite web|title=Order The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies, {{text|ISBN}}: 132859274X {{!}} HMH|url=https://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/The-Big-Picture/9781328592743|access-date=2020-12-05|website=www.hmhco.com|language=en}}</ref> it was revealed that ''After Earth'' was intended to be the first installment of a new franchise. Pitched to the studio by Will Smith, the intention was to launch a multimedia franchise titled ''1000 AE''. Plans were originally for ''After Earth'' to be followed by a sequel, a live action television series, an [[Animated series|animated television series]], [[Web television|webisodes]], [[Mobile television|mobisodes]], a [[video game]], [[Final good|consumer products]], [[Amusement park|theme-park attractions]], [[Documentary film|documentaries]], [[comics]], an [[educational program]] collaboration in partnership with [[NASA]], [[Eau de Cologne|cologne]] and [[perfume]] lines, and a [[social media]] [[Social media#Definition and classification|platform]]. Though Smith wanted ''1000 AE'' to be an immersive experience for the audience, the movie ultimately was poorly received and lost money at the box office. All plans for a continuation were abandoned.<ref name="Failed Franchise">{{Cite web|date=2020-05-14|title=Will Smith's Plans For After Earth To Be A Shared Universe Bigger Than Marvel's|url=https://screenrant.com/will-smith-after-earth-shared-universe-plan-marvel/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/afterearth/}} * {{IMDb title|1815862|After Earth}} * {{amg movie|537116}} * {{tcmdb title|id=886133}} * {{AFI film|id=69452|title=After Earth}} {{M._Night_Shyamalan}} {{Will Smith}} {{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor}} {{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo}} {{DEFAULTSORT:After Earth}} [[Category:2010s adventure films]] [[Category:2013 science fiction action films]] [[Category:American science fiction adventure films]] [[Category:American science fiction action films]] [[Category:Columbia Pictures films]] [[Category:Films directed by M. Night Shyamalan]] [[Category:Films produced by M. Night Shyamalan]] [[Category:Films produced by Jada Pinkett Smith]] [[Category:Films produced by Will Smith]] [[Category:Films scored by James Newton Howard]] [[Category:Films set in the 22nd century]] [[Category:Films set on fictional planets]] [[Category:Films shot in California]] [[Category:Films shot in Costa Rica]] [[Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:IMAX films]] [[Category:American post-apocalyptic films]] [[Category:Overbrook Entertainment films]] [[Category:Films about dysfunctional families]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by M. Night Shyamalan]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by Will Smith]] [[Category:Films about wormholes]] [[Category:Blinding Edge Pictures films]] [[Category:Films about father–son relationships]] [[Category:Golden Raspberry Award winning films]] [[Category:2010s English-language films]] [[Category:2010s American films]]'