Will Smith tops power list

Will Smith

Will Smith is the most powerful actor on the planet, according to an annual list by Newsweek magazine.

The Independence Day hunk has eclipsed last year's winner, Tom Cruise, and previous regular winner Tom Hanks.

Newsweek spoke to a host of studio chiefs and film producers anonymously for fear of offending other stars.

Smith was chosen because of his huge box office success and his ability to tackle any genre--sci-fi (I, Robot), action comedy (Men in Black) or drama (The Pursuit of Happyness).

Following behind were Johnny Depp at two, Ben Stiller at three, Brad Pitt at four and Cruise at five.