KING OF THE COURT

King Richard (Nov. 19 in theaters and on HBO Max) is the dramatization of a dad’s determination to write his daughters—tennis sensations Venus and Serena Williams—into history. Will Smith, 53, plays dad Richard, who raised two of the most gifted players in history with a 78-page plan and training that included playing on the abandoned courts of Compton, Calif., with used tennis balls. “Richard Williams is a lot like my father,” says Smith. “When I first read the script, I understood what it’s like to want your kids to succeed. I had done it a little bit with my kids,” including son Jaden and daughter Willow, both of whom have appeared in films with their father.