Westbrook Inc. is an American multimedia and entertainment company founded by actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The company was founded in 2019, to create and distribute media content.[5] As of 2022, the company is headquartered in Calabasas, California.[6]
History
In August 2021, the company signed a first-look deal with National Geographic to produce unscripted projects in the areas of adventure, exploration, travel, and science. Projects resulting from this deal include Welcome to Earth (2021) and Pole to Pole (2026).[7]
In November 2021 Westbrook premiered its debut film, King Richard, which garnered six nominations at the 94th Academy Awards (including Best Picture, a first for Westbrook) and four nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, including "Best Motion Picture – Drama," and won "Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama" for Smith.[8]
In January 2022, Candle Media announced its strategic minority investment in Westbrook, as Westbrook concurrently marked its first international expansion and acquired Telepool, a German Film and Television distribution sales company.[9][10]
In May 2024, Westbrook Inc. announced the sale of its German content house Telepool to Vuelta Group. Telepool was subsequently merged with Vuelta Group's existing German producer and distributor, SquareOne Entertainment.[11][12][13]
Later in May 2024 Westbrook Racing was founded and joined the UIM E1 World Championship—the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series—in its inaugural 2024 season. The team was co-founded by actor Will Smith alongside investors Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and Alshair Fiyaz.[14] The team's entry added to the high-profile list of celebrity-owned franchises in the series, which includes teams owned by Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, and LeBron James.[15] Smith's involvement, along with that of the other high-profile owners, provided the championship with significant global visibility. The team and the series have publicly stated a commitment to promoting sustainable innovation in marine mobility, aligning with E1's goal of advancing clean energy and environmentally responsible racing.[16]
Westbrook Racing debuted in the E1 World Championship at the Venice GP in May 2024. The team achieved its first final victory at the Lake Como Grand Prix in August 2024, piloted by drivers Lucas Ordóñez and Sara Price. The team's participation in the all-electric E1 series is part of its stated commitment to innovation and supporting the shift toward electric marine technology.[17][18]
In July 2025, Westbrook Inc. entered a strategic collaboration with Studio Azuki, a U.S.-based animation venture formed by the NFT brand Azuki, Japanese publisher Comisma Inc., and animation house Xenotoon Inc.[19]
In September 2025, Westbrook Studios secured a multi-picture first-look deal with Paramount Pictures. The agreement includes a commitment to developing and producing globally-focused, IP-based, theatrical films, with Will Smith attached to star in certain franchise-starting projects.[20] Initial titles announced under the deal include Sugar Bandits (an adaptation of the Chuck Hogan novel), Devils in Exile and Rabbit Hole, written by Jon Spaihts.[21][22]
Filmography
Films
Television
Awards
External links
References
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- Westbrook Names Denise Bailey-Castro as CFO 29 May 2024^
- 20th's Terence Carter to Head Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's Westbrook Studios 26 September 2019^
- Mike Fleming Jr. Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith Launch Multimedia Cross-Platform Venture Westbrook Inc. Deadline, 10 July 2019^
- Mike Jr. Fleming. Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith Launch Multimedia Cross-Platform Venture Westbrook Inc. Deadline Hollywood, July 10, 2019, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Natalie Jarvey. How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Media Thrived in a Pandemic The Hollywood Reporter, March 4, 2021, retrieved April 25, 2022^
- Denise Petski. Will Smith & Westbrook Studios Ink First-Look Deal With Nat Geo Deadline Hollywood, August 18, 2021, retrieved November 5, 2025^
- Natalie Jarvey. How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media Thrived in a Pandemic The Hollywood Reporter, 2021-03-04, retrieved 2026-04-14^
- Richard Middleton. Kevin Mayer & Tom Staggs' Candle Media buys into Will Smith's Westbrook Studios TBI Vision, January 5, 2022, retrieved May 14, 2024^
- Andreas Wiseman. Will Smith Takes Full Control Of Telepool, Launches Westbrook Int'l Deadline Hollywood, January 7, 2022, retrieved May 12, 2024^
- Elsa Keslassy. Will Smith's Westbrook to Partner With Telepool, SquareOne on German Local-Language Film Slate Variety, April 30, 2024, retrieved October 28, 2025^
- Scott Roxborough. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Sells Germany's Telepool to Vuelta Group The Hollywood Reporter, May 8, 2024, retrieved May 14, 2024^
- Max Tani. The fall of Will and Jada's media empire Semafor, January 7, 2024, retrieved August 12, 2025^
- Will Smith Unveils New UIM E1 World Championship Team E1 Series, May 9, 2024, retrieved 10 November 2025^
- Team Westbrook- Led By Will Smith, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and Alshair Fiyaz- Places Third in Its Inaugural E1- Series Race GeekWire, May 21, 2024, retrieved 10 November 2025^
- Inside E1, the F1 for eco-conscious speed boaters backed by the likes of Will Smith, Tom Brady, and Steve Aoki Business Insider Africa, November 8, 2025, retrieved 10 November 2025^
- Westbrook Racing Wins First E1 Lake Como GP, defeating team Rafa Union Internationale Motonautique, August 24, 2024, retrieved November 24, 2025^
- Anna Tingley. Oscar-winning actor Will Smith launching all-electric raceboat team in UIM E1 World Championship CBS Sports, May 9, 2024, retrieved November 24, 2025^
- Joe Otterson. Will Smith, Westbrook Enter Strategic Collaboration With Studio Azuki to Expand Into Global Anime Variety, July 9, 2025, retrieved January 6, 2026^
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- Will Smith's 'Emancipation' Shifting to 2023, Apple Eyes New Date After Slap (EXCLUSIVE) (Retrieved from Variety on 08 May 2022)^
- Will Smith Loses Another Movie Release (Retrieved from GiantFreakinrobot.com website on 08 May 2022)^
- Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Guns Blazing on Atlanta StreetsFor 'Bad Boys 4' Shoot-Out EXCLUSIVE TMZ, May 22, 2023, retrieved June 1, 2023^
- Nellie Andreeva. 'The Debutantes' Documentary Series From The Westbrook Team To Chronicle Black Cotillion Tradition; BET Studios Boards Deadline, February 8, 2024, retrieved September 4, 2025^
- Justin Kroll. Netflix Acquires Hot Package 'Fast & Loose' From STXfilms With Will Smith Starring And David Leitch Directing Deadline Hollywood, July 27, 2021, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Kim Masters. Netflix Backs Away From Will Smith Film 'Fast and Loose' The Hollywood Reporter, April 2, 2022, retrieved April 2, 2022^
- Justin Kroll. Will Smith And Michael Bay Eyeing Reunion On Netflix Action Pic Fast And Loose Deadline Hollywood, October 7, 2024, retrieved October 7, 2024^
- Etan Vlessing. Steph Curry Documentary 'Underrated' in the Works at A24 The Hollywood Reporter, August 10, 2021, retrieved September 4, 2025^
- Nellie Andreeva. Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith's Westbrook Inks Film & TV Deal With Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Media Deadline, February 16, 2021, retrieved September 10, 2025^
- Paramount Taps 'Ms. Marvel's Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy To Helm Marcus Sakey Novel 'Brilliance'; Will Smith Producing And Eyed To Star Deadline, September 20, 2022, retrieved September 12, 2025^
- Will Smith Teases 'Hancock 2,' Says Zendaya Being Eyed For a Role Deadline, February 20, 2025, retrieved September 12, 2025^
- 'Hitch' Director Andy Tennant Says Will Smith Is Developing A Sequel Film Without Him Deadline, February 12, 2025, retrieved September 12, 2025^
- Circle of Confusion Promotes Josh Adler, Charles Mastropietro & Susan Solomon Shapiro To Partner Deadline, December 9, 2020, retrieved September 17, 2025^
- Mike Jr. Fleming. Noah Centineo To Star In 'Listen', A Thriller Produced By Will Smith's Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, January 31, 2025^
- Justin Kroll. Will Smith's Westbrook Studios, The Chainsmokers And NASCAR Team On Rom Com 'Clean Air' At Amazon Studios, Alison Rose Greenberg Penning Script Deadline Hollywood, August 23, 2021, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Matt Grobar. 'Onyeka And The Academy Of The Sun': Will Smith & David Oyelowo To Produce Film Adaptation Of Upcoming Tọlá Okogwu Book For Netflix Deadline Hollywood, February 16, 2022, retrieved March 31, 2022^
- Mike Jr. Fleming. 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' Gets Paramount Pictures Remake With Will Smith & Kevin Hart Starring; Westbrook, Hartbeat Produce Deadline Hollywood, August 17, 2020, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Brent Lang. Jada Pinkett Smith to Star in 'Redd Zone' for Netflix (EXCLUSIVE) Variety, December 1, 2020, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Anthony D'Alessandro. Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Form Partnership With Akimoto Project; 'The Elephant's Back' Movie In The Works Deadline Hollywood, July 8, 2021, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Anthony D'Alessandro. 'I Am Legend' Next Chapter: Will Smith & Michael B. Jordan To Star & Produce Together For First Time; Akiva Goldsman Back To Write Deadline Hollywood, March 4, 2022, retrieved March 31, 2022^
- Denise Petski. Queen Latifah Movie Produced By Will Smith's Westbrook Set At Paramount Deadline Hollywood, September 4, 2024, retrieved 3 October 2025^
- Universal Acquires Westbrook Studios Action-Comedy 'Regulators' Starring Nicky Jam Deadline Hollywood, September 26, 2022^
- Justin Kroll. Will Smith To Star In Sony Pictures' Sci-Fi Thriller 'Resistor' Deadline Hollywood, June 18, 2024^
- Justin Kroll. Will Smith Exits Action Movie 'Sugar Bandits' Deadline Hollywood, September 4, 2024, retrieved 3 October 2025^
- 'Creed III' Star Jonathan Majors' Next Move: Amazon Pic 'The Understudy,' Spike Lee Circling Deadline, March 3, 2023, retrieved October 7, 2025^
- Fleming, Mike Jr. Will Smith's Westbrook Partners With Japanese Producer & Manager Yasushi Akimoto For Content Venture The Dream Master Deadline, July 8, 2021, retrieved October 7, 2025^
- Nellie Andreeva. 'Red Table Talk: The Estefans' Renewed For Season 2 At Facebook Watch Deadline Hollywood, January 26, 2021, retrieved October 13, 2025^
- Nellie Andreeva. 'Bel-Air': Peacock Gives 2-Season Order To 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot From Morgan Cooper & Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, September 8, 2020, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Andreas Wiseman. Jada Pinkett Smith On Netflix's 'African Queens: Njinga,' 'Black Panther' & 'The Woman King'—And The Need For Authentic Representation Deadline Hollywood, February 11, 2023, retrieved October 17, 2025^
- Kirsten Chuba. Will Smith and Nat Geo's 'Pole to Pole' Journey Gets First Look The Hollywood Reporter, February 8, 2022^
- Nellie Andreeva. Coming-Of-Age Series 'Bright Young Things' In Works At IMDb TV From Samantha Stratton & Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, December 16, 2020, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Nellie Andreeva. N.K. Jemisin's 'The Inheritance Trilogy' To Be Developed As TV Series By Searchlight TV & Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, March 12, 2021, retrieved November 15, 2021^
- Peter White. Beano Studios & DC Thomson Launch Emanata Studios To Adapt Comic IP For TV & Film; Set Deals With Jerry Bruckheimer TV & Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, November 16, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2022^
- Nellie Andreeva, Denise Patski. Will Smith To Host 'This Joka' Stand-Up Comedy Series For Quibi From Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, April 2, 2020, retrieved January 23, 2022^
- Nellie Andreeva. Becky G To Star In 'Queen Of Flow' Drama Series In Works At Peacock From Jorge Reyes & Westbrook Studios Deadline Hollywood, March 29, 2023^
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The 94th Academy Awards Oscars.org, retrieved 2026-01-13^
- Apple Original Films’ “Emancipation” star and producer Will Smith wins NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Apple TV+ Press, February 25, 2023, retrieved 2024-05-22^
- Mya Abraham. 2023 NAACP Image Awards: Full Winners List BET, February 25, 2023, retrieved January 23, 2026^