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Westbrook (company)

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Westbrook Inc.
Company type
Private[1]
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedJuly 10, 2019; 6 years ago (2019-07-10)
Founders
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Key people
  • Kosaku Yada (CEO)
  • Denise Bailey-Castro (CFO)
  • Terence Carter (President of Television)
[2][3]
ProductsMotion Picture, Television Production
Divisions
  • Film
  • Television
  • Entertainment Marketing
Subsidiaries
[4]
Websitewww.westbrookinc.com

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 Los Angeles, California.[6][7]

History

[edit]

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).[8]

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.[9]

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.[10][11]

In May 2024, Westbrook Inc. announced the sale of Telepool to Vuelta Group. Telepool was subsequently merged with Vuelta Group's existing German producer and distributor, SquareOne Entertainment.[12][13][14]

Later in May 2024 Westbrook Racing was founded and joined the UIM E1 World Championship—the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series. The team was co-founded by actor Will Smith alongside investors Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio and Alshair Fiyaz.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18][19]

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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22][23]

In November 2025, Peacock premiered the fourth and final season of Bel-Air, a reimagining of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The series was Peacock’s longest-running original scripted program, following an initial two-season order in 2020. Bel-Air set viewership records as its most-streamed original series. The series finale featured a cameo by Will Smith, who appeared in a scene with Jabari Banks.[24]

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Year Title Director Distributor Notes
2021 King Richard Reinaldo Marcus Green Warner Bros. Pictures Co-production with Star Thrower Entertainment
2022 Emancipation Antoine Fuqua Apple TV+ Co-production with Apple Studios, McFarland Entertainment, Escape Artists and Apple Original Films.[25][26]
2024 Bad Boys: Ride or Die Adil & Bilall Sony Pictures Releasing Co-production with Columbia Pictures, 2.0 Entertainment and Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films[27]
2025 Debutantes Contessa Gayles Comcast Xfinity Black Experience Co-production with BET Studios, NBC News; 2024 Tribeca FF premiere[28]
2025 Good Shot Joris Debeij Co-production with Religion of Sports, RTG, Unanimous Media, Iconoclast; 2025 ABFF premiere[29]

Television

[edit]
Years Title Creator Network Notes
2018
One Strange Rock N/A National Geographic Co-production with National Geographic
2018-2022 Red Table Talk N/A Facebook Watch Co-production with Very Tall Productions
2018–2025 Cobra Kai Josh Heald
Jon Hurwitz
Hayden Schlossberg 		YouTube Red (season 1)
YouTube Premium (season 2)
Netflix (seasons 3–6) 		Continued from Overbrook Entertainment; co-production with Hurwitz & Schlossberg Productions (seasons 1–2), Heald Productions (season 2), Counterbalance Entertainment (seasons 3–6) and Sony Pictures Television
2020–2021 Red Table Talk: The Estefans N/A Facebook Watch[30] N/A
2021 Welcome to Earth N/A Disney+ Co-production with National Geographic Partners
Amend: The Fight for America N/A Netflix
2022–2025 Bel-Air Andy Borowitz
Susan Borowitz 		Peacock co-production with Arbolada Roads, Ra Shines Inc., Cooper Films, The 51, and Universal Television[31]
2022 Women of the Movement Marissa Jo Cerar ABC Co-production with Two Drifters, Roc Nation, and Kapital Entertainment
2023 African Queens: Nijinga (Pt 1 & 2) Peres Owino, NneNne Iwuji Netflix Co-production with Nutopia[32]
2026 Pole to Pole N/A Disney+ Co-production with National Geographic, Nutopia[33]

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2022 Academy Awards Best Picture Tim White, Trevor White, and Will Smith Nominated
Best Actor Will Smith Won[34]
Best Supporting Actress Aunjanue Ellis Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Zach Baylin Nominated
Best Film Editing Pamela Martin Nominated
Best Original Song Beyoncé and DIXSON (for "Be Alive") Nominated
2023 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Will Smith Won [35]
Outstanding Motion Picture Emancipation Nominated[36]
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture The cast of Emancipation Nominated
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture Antoine Fuqua Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film) Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Nominated


References

[edit]
  1. ^ Tani, Max (January 7, 2024). "The fall of Will and Jada's media empire". Semafor. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Westbrook Names Denise Bailey-Castro as CFO". 29 May 2024.
  3. ^ "20th's Terence Carter to Head Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's Westbrook Studios". 26 September 2019.
  4. ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (10 July 2019). "Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith Launch Multimedia Cross-Platform Venture Westbrook Inc". Deadline. Westbrook Inc. will encompass subsidiary companies including the existing Overbrook Entertainment, Red Table Talk Enterprises and the recently formed Westbrook Studios, Westbrook Media, and Good Goods
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 10, 2019). "Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith Launch Multimedia Cross-Platform Venture Westbrook Inc". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  6. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (March 4, 2021). "How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Media Thrived in a Pandemic". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 3, 2025). "Will Smith And Westbrook Set Multi-Picture Deal At Paramount Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (August 18, 2021). "Will Smith & Westbrook Studios Ink First-Look Deal With Nat Geo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  9. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (2021-03-04). "How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Media Thrived in a Pandemic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  10. ^ Middleton, Richard (January 5, 2022). "Kevin Mayer & Tom Staggs' Candle Media buys into Will Smith's Westbrook Studios". TBI Vision. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (January 7, 2022). "Will Smith Takes Full Control Of Telepool, Launches Westbrook Int'l". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  12. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (April 30, 2024). "Will Smith's Westbrook to Partner With Telepool, SquareOne on German Local-Language Film Slate". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  13. ^ Roxborough, Scott (May 8, 2024). "Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Sells Germany's Telepool to Vuelta Group". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Tani, Max (January 7, 2024). "The fall of Will and Jada's media empire". Semafor. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  15. ^ "Will Smith Unveils New UIM E1 World Championship Team". E1 Series. May 9, 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "Westbrook Racing Wins First E1 Lake Como GP, defeating team Rafa". Union Internationale Motonautique. August 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Tingley, Anna (May 9, 2024). "Oscar-winning actor Will Smith launching all-electric raceboat team in UIM E1 World Championship". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  20. ^ Otterson, Joe (July 9, 2025). "Will Smith, Westbrook Enter Strategic Collaboration With Studio Azuki to Expand Into Global Anime". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  21. ^ Spangler, Todd (2025-09-03). "Will Smith, Westbrook Sign First-Look Deal With Paramount to Make Franchise Films". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Will Smith Signs Multi-Film Deal With Paramount Pictures". Screen Rant. 2025-09-03. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  23. ^ Fuster, Jeremy (2025-09-03). "Will Smith Signs Multi-Picture Deal With Paramount". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  24. ^ Abramovitch, Seth (December 12, 2025). "'Bel-Air' Finale Filmed Two Endings in Hopes Will Smith Would Do That Surprise Cameo". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  25. ^ Will Smith's 'Emancipation' Shifting to 2023, Apple Eyes New Date After Slap (EXCLUSIVE) Archived 2022-05-09 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved from Variety on 08 May 2022)
  26. ^ Will Smith Loses Another Movie Release Archived 2022-05-09 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved from GiantFreakinrobot.com website on 08 May 2022)
  27. ^ "Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Guns Blazing on Atlanta StreetsFor 'Bad Boys 4' Shoot-Out EXCLUSIVE". TMZ. May 22, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2024). "'The Debutantes' Documentary Series From The Westbrook Team To Chronicle Black Cotillion Tradition; BET Studios Boards". Deadline. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  29. ^ "Stephen Curry-Produced Basketball Doc 'Good Shot' Reveals Emotional Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. June 3, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 26, 2021). "'Red Table Talk: The Estefans' Renewed For Season 2 At Facebook Watch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 8, 2020). "'Bel-Air': Peacock Gives 2-Season Order To 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot From Morgan Cooper & Westbrook Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (February 11, 2023). "Jada Pinkett Smith On Netflix's 'African Queens: Njinga,' 'Black Panther' & 'The Woman King'—And The Need For Authentic Representation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  33. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (February 8, 2022). "Will Smith and Nat Geo's 'Pole to Pole' Journey Gets First Look". The Hollywood Reporter.
  34. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "The 94th Academy Awards | 2022". Oscars.org. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ Abraham, Mya (February 25, 2023). "2023 NAACP Image Awards: Full Winners List". BET. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
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