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 Happiness.

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