Exclusive: Will Smith Battles ‘Hurricane-Like’ Winds to Reach the South Pole
For a hot second, Will Smith is thinking about quitting while in the middle of a death-inviting ice wall climb.
The high, bone-chilling winds that the 57-year-old Oscar winner battles have him on the brink. But it's part of his new National Geographic series, Pole to Pole with Will Smith, and in an exclusive clip shared with Men's Journal, Smith finds himself battling hurricane-like winds that pierce him like a knife as he climbs a 300-foot ice wall to reach the South Pole.
"Oh my god," he says, as he looks up at the daunting task. "It's like a freaking hurricane!"
In the premiere episode, "South Pole," Smith embarks on the daring climb with help from one of the world's best polar athletes, Richard Parks. The South Pole's weather is unforgiving, where temperatures can drop 100 degrees below zero.
Decked out in crampons, boots, a helmet, and ice tools, Smith harnesses every ounce of energy to make the climb. He grunts and breathes heavily with each step.
But it's daunting. He takes a break and ponders if it's even worth it.
Watch Will Smith's Ice Wall Climb
"The wind is blowing in my face," he says while taking a breather. "The wind is cutting like a knife. I really can't feel my lips."
In a confessional, Smith fully grasps Mother Nature's might.
"I don't quit a lot. I generally don't give up," he says. "But in Antarctica, you have that moment where you're like: "Oh, Mother Nature is actually in charge."
Five Years in the Making
The National Geographic series has been five years in the making. Pole to Pole follows Smith across all seven continents, taking him from the ice fields of Antarctica, the jungles of the Amazon, the mountains of the Himalayas, to the deserts of Africa, and the islands of the Pacific and the icebergs of the Arctic.
Smith immerses himself in 100 incredibly challenging days as an homage to his late mentor, who encouraged him to explore life's big questions. In those 100 days, Smith indulges in the company of scientists, explorers, and local experts.
"Told with a cinematic scale, access, and authenticity only National Geographic can deliver, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure blends cutting-edge science, environmental storytelling, and bold exploration."
Pole to Pole with Will Smith premieres with the "South Pole" episode on Jan. 13 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu.