Columbia and Will Smith Wrapping "Cooked" Meals

Strengthening their bond in producing films together, Columbia Pictures and Will Smith are about to develop a big screen adaptation of a novel by an inner-city drug dealer turned Vegas celebrity chef, which is likely to be another inspiring feature coming from them after "The Pursuit of Happyness."

Titled "Cooked" just like the name of the book, written by Jeff Henderson, the project possibly will stay true to the original source material which chronicles the author's journey from top San Diego cocaine dealer to imprisonment, where he discovered a passion for cooking, and his struggles to make it as a chef.

While Smith is positive to serve as the picture's producer through his Overbrook production company, there is a possibility for him to star as well. In the meantime, his producing partner James Lassiter will also take the same position alongside Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal of Escape Artists.