Will Smith and Francis Lawrence Plot a Reteaming

“I Am Legend” director Francis Lawrence is back in the Will Smith biz.

Lawrence will develop to direct “City That Sailed,” a 20th Century Fox drama that will potentially star Smith as a father who lives on the opposite side of the ocean from his daughter. Their bond is so strong that it causes Manhattan to split off and float across the Atlantic.

“Ocean’s Thirteen” scribes Brian Koppelman and David Levien have been hired to rewrite a script originally penned by “Truman Show” scribe Andrew Niccol.

Smith will produce with Overbrook Entertainment partner James Lassiter.

Depending on how well Koppelman and Levien do, Lawrence might have competition for his next film slot -- at the same studio. While a "yes" from Will Smith to star in any film makes it an automatic reality, Lawrence expects his next film to be “Water for Elephants,” the Fox 2000 adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel that is close to having a script by Richard LaGravanese.

Lawrence has had several meetings with Reese Witherspoon to star in the story of a Depression-era traveling circus.

For his part, Smith doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to jump into another film.

After starring in three movies over a span of 12 months, Hollywood’s most bankable actor is focused on producing a remake of "The Karate Kid." Smith, who takes the time to appreciate such things, is taking full advantage of the chance to soak up culture in China with the film's lead, who happens to be his son, Jaden.