We haven't heard all that much about 'After Earth,' except that it stars Will Smith, his son Jaden, and is being directed by M. Night Shyamalan. But now an official synopsis of the plot has surfaced and has confirmed a lot of vague earlier rumors.

The synopsis poppped up on the Comic-Con 2012 website when the yearly geek culture event posted its programming schedule last week, along with details of a panel presentation. Strangely, while you might think 'After Earth' is a must for a Hall H showcase, given the talent attached and its release next summer, the panel is actually taking place in a smaller ballroom -- probably because neither of the Smiths nor Shyamalan will be in attendance (instead, we'll get the screenwriter, the director of photography and some other folks working on tie-in comic books).

In any case, the synopsis is up and it confirms earlier reports that the movie (originally titled '1000 AE') is very much a father-son vehicle for the elder and younger Smith. What's interesting, however, is that from the way the story is described, it seems that Jaden Smith's character is the lead, with his father relegated to supporting status. Take a look:

In After Earth, one thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (played by Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.

Looks like Big Willie will be mostly motionless throughout the film while young Jaden gets to do most of the heavy lifting. It's a risk for father and son, but especially for Shyamalan, who is coming off three straight directorial disasters ('Lady in the Water,' 'The Happening' and 'Avatar: The Last  Airbender') and better be praying that two Smith are at least as good as, if not better than, one.

'After Earth' opens on June 7th, 2013.

(via Slashfilm)

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