For the past week, there’s been a lot of rumor-mongering about Will Smith and the film Emancipation. Will spoke about Emancipation a lot as he promoted King Richard and did the awards season blitz late last year and early this year. Emancipation, based on the true story of a former slave-turned-Union soldier known as Whipped Peter, completed production in early 2022, and it was and is Will’s big passion project. He got Apple to spend $120 million on the production and they were all geared up to launch a huge Oscar campaign for the film and for Smith. Then Will slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. Now no one is 100% sure what’s going to happen with Emancipation.
Apple has a Will Smith problem. Mr. Smith is the star of “Emancipation,” a film set during the Civil War era that Apple envisioned as a surefire Oscar contender when it wrapped filming earlier this year. But that was before Mr. Smith strode onto the stage at the Academy Awards in March and slapped the comedian Chris Rock, who had made a joke about Mr. Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Now Apple finds itself left with a $120 million unreleased awards-style movie featuring a star no longer welcome at the biggest award show of them all, and a big question: Can the film, even if it succeeds artistically, overcome the baggage that now accompanies Mr. Smith?
The sensitivity of the situation is apparent. According to three people involved with the film who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the company’s planning, there have been discussions inside Apple to release “Emancipation” by the end of the year, which would make it eligible for awards consideration. Variety reported in May, however, that the film’s release would be pushed into 2023. When asked for this article how and when it planned to release “Emancipation,” Apple declined to comment on that or anything else about the film.
The rest of that Times piece featured quotes from a lot of white people clutching their pearls at how no one will ever be able to see Will Smith the same way after he… slapped a grown man for disrespecting his wife for the millionth time. I mean, I get that there are still conversations about this and obviously, there’s no “right answer” for “what do we do about Will Smith’s other films?” At first, I thought they should just release the film as they originally planned to, late in the year, in time for the 2023 awards season and just come what may, even with Will being banned from the Oscars. But considering all of the pearl-clutching and angst, maybe Apple should let one Oscar telecast go by before releasing the film.
This entertainment journalist says that it’s definitely coming out in December though. Maybe Apple just wants Emancipation off its plate.
BREAKING: Apple expected to release the Will Smith movie EMANCIPATION in early December.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) September 20, 2022
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, YouTube, Instar.
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- North America Rights Only – Los Angeles, USA -20220327- Vanity Fair Oscar Dinner held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California -PICTURED: Will Smith -PHOTO by: INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
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- CENTURY CITY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – MARCH 13: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the 27th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on March 13, 2022 in Century City, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 669532642, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon
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- Will Smith attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones celebrating the 94th annual Academy Awards at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California,Image: 673579164, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Will Smith, Credit line: – / JPI Studios / Avalon
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- Will Smith attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones celebrating the 94th annual Academy Awards at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California,Image: 673579181, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Will Smith, Credit line: – / JPI Studios / Avalon
Meanwhile the press and movie execs are bending over backwards to rehabilitate Ezra Miller.
Can’t qwhite put my finger on why though…
This.
What Smith did was bad and it was wrong. But good grief, he didn’t pull a gun on anyone or pistol whip him – he slapped him. The bigger concern I would have if I were employing him is what actually caused him to snap in such a destructive way at the worst time ever? And has he dealt with whatever that was or is it still simmering? People are acting like this was the most horrific, triggering thing that ever happened.
So, I am someone who didn’t like what Will Smith did at the Oscars.
but you know what? at this point, I’m over it. Yes, he behaved poorly. but so did Rock. Does one bad moment negate Will Smith’s entire career? Not for me. I get that he can’t attend the Oscars for 10 years and the Academy might be wary of even nominating a movie that he’s involved with for awards a year after The Slap (so in that regard waiting another year might be better), but in terms of fan appeal, I think he’s fine. I think everyone who was going to watch this movie a year ago will still watch this movie.
I know that The Slap has affected his reputation and has damaged his career for some, but I think long-term he’s going to be fine. I’m not avoiding Will Smith movies the way I avoid Johnny Depp movies, you know? We still watched Independence Day on July 4 this year.
So all that to say….yeah, release the movie and let’s see what happens, I think Apple may be surprised.
@ Becks1, ditto!! Though, I do wonder if JD will ever work again. But Cruise is on that list too, for me.
I think that WS has been punished enough.
And yet, here we are!! He does have a job….
https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/johnny-depp-has-landed-his-first-movie-role-since-minimata-and-fantastic-beasts-exit
JD probably has directors lining up to work with him. This long public lashing of Will Smith is too much..enough is enough. It feels like Hollywood was waiting for WS to fkdup.
Yeahhhhh…….see the comment below.
Totally agreed, Becks. Smith made a really foolish and unprofessional move that I definitely didn’t feel was justified, but it happened months ago. He didn’t seriously hurt anyone, and while it may slightly damage his reputation and how people view him as you said, it should not hurt his career. He’s a great actor. People will still want to see his movies. This isn’t something people should stop watching him over by any means and I expect he’ll continue to get praise for his performances.
People contort themselves into pretzels defending Depp’s inexcusable abuse and yet can’t see how Smith can be redeemed? Ugh.
Roman Polanksi raped a child and then fled the country, but he gets a standing ovation. The hypocrisy is disgusting, and I hope they all step on Legos.
I think that people in Hollywood are greatly overestimating public concern with this issue. The general reaction I always hear is, they’re still talking about that!! I had an opportunity to see this in a preview this summer, and it is a fantastic movie. Ironically, I think this would be another Oscar contender for him, but that clearly isn’t happening. I hope it gets released, because it is a fantastic story, and one I’m sure a lot of people are ignorant to.
My gawd, WS has apologized, been banned for 10 years, has been a prolific actor, director and has other professional attributes over the decades in Hollywood, but FFS, he has been punished enough!!
This movie is an exceptional story in which we can highlight the attributes of an African American named Gordon that is a role model that has graced the pages of history and his story is worthy of telling!!
WS is an exceptional actor and I think that had WS been white, a different outcome perhaps???
Jeezus, they gave that sexual predator pr!ck CK Lewis a GD Oscar……..
I agree this movie should be told, but not with WS. I personally believe there are many other actors out there that would be a wonderful job with this movie. I won’t ever waste any of my hard earned money on WS.
White people are scared that Will isn’t the sweet loveable bear they thought he was. That he’s a real person, heart and soul who reacts to slights and disrespect. What a gross lot of racist.
Meanwhile:
Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller. Ezra Miller.
All this.
That Ezra Miller will go on a rehabilitation tour soon, just in time for his movie, is disgusting.
Their movie. Ezra Miller uses they / them pronouns.
Caucasian here. I never thought of Will Smith as a cuddly bear but I can’t help it, I do have issues with anyone (human – real bears can’t help themselves) getting physical to express their frustrations or anger.
And please don’t hold us all accountable for Ezra Miller, I think they should be gone, gone, gone. And I really don’t understand why they aren’t.
If it doesn’t pertain to you then don’t worry about it.
I can understand why Apple wants more distance between Slapapalooza and the film’s release. They definitely want the conversation to be about the quality of the film and the film’s performances , not 16 articles about what happens if Will Smith gets an Oscar nom. And, lets be honest, fair or not fair, that’s exactly what would happen if it was released this year.
BUT, the movie sounds really interesting and I’d love to see it. I hadn’t heard about it before. So it’s a shame that undeserved controversy and marketing decisions might push it back.
I hope his movie never gets released. I always thought there was something very shady about him and his wife. F-him, in my eyes, he doesn’t deserve a second chance. No one who puts their hands on some one else deserves a 2nd chance. Maybe I’m naive here, but I don’t think it’s a black and white issue. WS is a violent person, and therefore, if he put his hand’s on someone once, I have no doubt he’ll do it again.
Years ago I went to Pips, in Sheepshead Bay, and me and my whole table got torn apart by the comedian. I mean he really went off on us, but none of us at the table had any thoughts of going on the stage and slapping or beating the crap out of the comedian.
In my opinion WS finally showed his ass, and now we know the type of person he really is. I knew it was only a matter of time before the real WS stood up!!!
Yes, you are being naive by not listening to the multiple POC in these comments who have repeatedly said this is a race issue as well as an issue of misogyny.
Chris. Take a rest and get some new material for your “comedy” tour.
Love WS
Apple will do what makes sense for them financially. I personally won’t be watching it. WS joins Brad and Depp on my “do not watch” list. Now off to google Ezra Miller as I have no idea who he/they are.
I will give Mr. Smith the grace that he earned and deserves. I will certainly go see the movie that is bigger than me.
It honours one of our ancestors and will have it no other way.