The Will Smith comedy Focus has just announced the part of the female lead will be played by Wolf of Wall Street actress Margot Robbie. The Australian actress landed the part after demonstrating strong chemistry with Smith in a series of script readings. Robbie won the part over established talents such as Michelle Williams, Jessica Biel, Rose Byrne and Olivia Munn. She’s currently at work on the World War II romance drama Suite Francaise with Ruth Wilson, Michelle Williams, and Kristen Scott Thomas.
The Focus, which was written and will be directed by Glen Ficarra and John Requa, was originally slated to reunite their Crazy, Stupid, Love couple Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. However, those plans fell through due to scheduling conflicts, and after being passed up by Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck, Smith stepped into the lead role.
Focus centers on Smith’s character, a grifter who joins forces with a young and inexperienced girl only to fall in love with her. When the pair mix business and pleasure things begin to get complicated.
As the film is currently in pre-production there are sure to be many more additions to the cast and we will keep you informed in the days to come.