12 Dec 2019

Vanuatu welcomes US star Will Smith

2:13 pm on 12 December 2019

American actor Will Smith and his son have surprised the people of Tanna Island in Vanuatu by arriving to film a documentary.

American actor Will Smith.

American actor Will Smith. Photo: Twitter / Obed J

RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Vanuatu said huge excitement erupted at Tanna's White Grass airport earlier this week when people realised the movie star was in their midst.

Tanna government authorities say they knew well in advance that Mr Smith was coming to the island.

However, they said media were not notified to allow undisturbed filming at the Mt Yasur Volcano.

Smith is the host of the American documentary One Strange Rock screening on Netflix, which follows eight astronauts who "share their unique perspectives on Earth".