Will Smith will play the role of a slave in pursuit of freedom in “Emancipation”, his first film since he was involved in a controversy with the Hollywood Academy for slapping Chris Rock at this year’s Oscar ceremony year before winning the Best Actor award for his participation in “King Richard”.
The film directed by Antoine Fuqua will be available to Apple TV+ users on December 9, but will arrive at theaters a week earlier, on December 2, according to what was announced by the company, which also advanced the first images in its official trailer.
The release date of “Emancipation” is makes him eligible for the upcoming Academy Awards season, though if Will were to gain critical acclaim, he would not be able to attend the ceremony because he was banned from the Oscar ceremonies during 10 years.
“I worked with him two years making this movie. He is a wonderful person and an amazing partner, he did a fantastic job on this movie. Chris Rock is a good boy, I know him well and I want them to be friends again and everything goes on, “said the director in an interview he gave to the Deadline newspaper.
Along with Smith, the cast also includes Ben Foster, Steven Ogg and Charmaine Bingwa.
Last 27 March, Will Smith reacted violently to a joke by Chris Rock about his wife’s alopecia, Jada Pinkett, which made him get up from his seat, go on stage of the Dolby Theater and slapping the comedian live.
Rock had come out to present the award for best documentary and made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, comparing her to Lieutenant O’Neil from the Ridley Scott movie.
Smith has since repeatedly apologized for the incident and has begun to promote their projects again on social networks.
At the end of July, he published a video in which he apologized to the comedian for what had happened and after his wife had made different public appearances in which she urged them to reconcile.
“ Chris, I apologize. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here to speak whenever you are willing”, he said.