Will Smith is in early talks to star in Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures' sci-fi thriller Brilliance.

The script was written by David Koepp, based on the Marcus Sakey novel, which is set in a world where special individuals known as "brilliants" have heightened abilities. The plot follows a government agent whose gift is tracking down terrorists, although he may have met his match when tasked to find a dangerous man in Wyoming with his own set of special skills. The book was first published in August, and is the first of a planned trilogy.

Julius Onah is directing, with Joe Roth, Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni set to produce. Alex Hedlund, Palak Patel and Eric McLeod are serving as executive producers. No production schedule was given at this time.

Will Smith most recently starred in After Earth, and he is also circling the supernatural thriller Selling Time, which has D.J. Caruso attached to direct.