The world premiere of “Hancock” took place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on June 30, 2008. Attendees included co-stars, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman.

Jamie Foxx, Amanda Peet, Chris Daughtry, Queen Latifah and a very pregnant Minnie Driver turned up at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Monday night to watch Will Smith save the world once again, this time as an ambivalent superhero in Hancock.

But where was Smith’s main man, Tom Cruise, who has turned up at almost every one of Smith’s movie premieres since Cruise and Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, co-starred in 2004’s Collateral?

“He still had some things to do for Valkyrie,” said Pinkett Smith of her friend’s 2009 Adolf Hitler assassination plot drama. “But he let us know, ‘Sorry, I can’t make it tonight.’ “

Pinkett Smith wowed in a jade Herve Leroux gown, while her husband called himself “aggressive” for turning up in a Tom Ford checkered suit. “I was feeling sexy about myself,” said Smith, 39.

He also is feeling optimistic about the chances for a sequel for Hancock, which opens nationwide Wednesday. “Depends on how this one opens — and it’s looking pretty good,” Smith said. “And (screenwriter) Akiva Goldsman has an amazing idea for a I Am Legend 2 prequel” that would feature the return of his character’s pet dog in last year’s hit film.

In Smith’s latest film, careless superhero Hancock uses his strength to cast vehicles aside like toy cars. Sony tried to copy some of the more violent scenes for the movie’s premiere by littering Hollywood Boulevard with crashed autos covered in pieces of pavement.

Director Peter Berg, who is responsible for the film’s many bang-ups, confessed to having years of dangerously close calls during his reckless youth. “I was in car accidents, boat accidents, motorcycle accidents,” he said. “I’ve been in a lot of accidents. But Hancock’s about having some fun. We’re not out to traumatize anyone.”

Source: Will Smith’s famous pals cheer him on at ‘Hancock’ premiere

Photo credit: Getty Images

“Hancock” will be released in theaters on July 2, 2008.  For more on the movie visit the official Web sites:

• Hancock Was Here
• Official Hancock Movie Web site

See related posts:

• Video: Will Smith on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross 6-27-08
• Video: Will Smith on “The Today Show” 6-23-08
• Video: Will Smith on “The Colbert Report” 6-24-08
• Video: Will Smith on “Late Show with David Letterman” 6-23-08
• Photos: “Hancock” Moscow Premiere, Will Smith, Charlize Theron 6-19-08
• Photos: “Hancock” Paris Premiere, Will Smith, Charlize Theron 6-16-08
• Photos: “Hancock” UK Premiere, Will Smith, Charlize Theron 6-18-08
• Video: Will Smith’s New “Hancock” Trailer and Behind the Scenes Interviews
• Video: Will Smith on The Ellen DeGeneres Show 5-26-08
• Video: New TV Spots and Scene from “Hancock”

(L-R) Will Smith and son, Sean Diddy Combs and son, Tyrese

Will Smith, Charlize Theron

Jada Pinkett Smith

Charlize Theron

Photos: “Hancock” World Premiere 6-30-08