 Following the sale, Franklin was offered a position and brought on as a Director of Development at Sony’s Columbia Pictures.In his new role at Columbia, Franklin would oversee a number of the studio's hit films, like "The Pursuit of Happyness", "Hancock" and "Seven Pounds".Not only would his work on these projects lead to his eventual promotion to VP at Columbia, but they would also be a full circle moment of sorts for Franklin, who would collaborate with his former boss and mentor from Overbrook Entertainment, Will Smith, in making these movies.