Will Smith and Helen Mirren team up for new drama Collateral Beauty

They'll both star in David Frankel's latest directorial output.

Will Smith and Helen Mirren have both signed on to star in David Frankel's Collateral Beauty.

Smith's set to play the film's central figure; a New York advertising executive plunged into a deep depression after suffering a horrifying personal tragedy. In an attempt to help in his recovery, the man's employees put together a rather unconventional plan, but one which works out in a way no one could have predicted. Mirren has come onboard as an actor hired to play a central role in the intended scheme.

Collateral Beauty's had a rather bumpy road to production so far; the film was originally slated to star both Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara with Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, behind this year's charming Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, down to direct. Frankel's best known for directing The Devil Wears Prada, though he's also responsible for the pooch themed-weeper Marley & Me, alongside several episodes of Sex and the City. He'll be working off Allan Loeb's screenplay, himself responsible for penning both Rock of Ages and Just Go With It; Frankel replacing Rejon may thus reflect what's intended to be a lighter, more likeable piece of work.

Definitely a big step away from one of Mirren's latest projects, Eye in the Sky. With a trailer now dropping, the film's angling for a prescient exploration of the ethics of drone warfare on both American and Britsh soils. The film also stars Aaron Paul and Alan Rickman, and is pegged for an 8 April release.

There's yet to be any release date set for Collateral Beauty, though cameras are scheduled to start rolling early next year.