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Will Smith's new movie Emancipation is set to hit theaters on December 2 and streaming services on December 9.
The film is based on the true story of a slave—named Peter in the movie—and his excruciating journey north after fleeing a plantation in Louisiana.
This is the latest film by director Antoine Fuqua, who also directed Training Day and Equalizer. Smith referred to Emancipation as Fuqua's "greatest work of his entire career."
However, one thing is looming over the project—the infamous Oscar slap.
This is Smith's first major role since the controversy at the Academy Awards in March when he slapped Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
While Smith is aware of the mixed feelings toward him, he wants the focus to be on the film and the creative team.
He told Fox 5's Kevin McCarthy:
"My deepest concern is my team."
"The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don't penalize my team."
Addressing the Oscars controversy, Smith said he would "completely understand" if people didn't want to see him in a movie.
He explained:
"I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready."
He continued he wants the focus to be on the power of the story instead of his existence in the film.
"At this point, that's what I'm hoping for."
"I'm hoping the material, the power of the film, the timeliness of the story - I'm hoping that the good that can be done would open people's hearts at a minimum to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film."
You can watch the segment below.
Will Smith discusses Oscars slap with FOX 5's Kevin McCarthyyoutu.be
Users on Twitter weighed in on the subject.
Many said—in the scheme of Hollywood controversies—the slap is quite minor.
\u201cwill smith smacked someone and takes full accountability, apologizes, and in general handles the entire situation very well meanwhile every other terrible person in hollywood does things that are far worse & are allowed to continue working without even acknowledging their actions\u201d— Giulia\ud83d\udcbd\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Giulia\ud83d\udcbd\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1669678595
Sigh…it’s really not that serious.
— aaron ◊ (@vandawision) November 28, 2022
No, we will be watching. He should've not done that and it's not justifiable, but he's not a criminal.
— Tatiana.🇮🇹🇸🇳 (@tnt_rising) November 28, 2022
People over reacting as usual but quick to give paedos like Woody Allen, Bryant Singer a pass.🤮🤮
Chris Rock was bullying Jada for decades. Yet no one says nothing about that.
— Angelina Taylor (@Angelin25395575) November 29, 2022
the guy made a mistake, apologized scores of times… move on
— Alexander The Not-So Great (@Birdman4America) November 29, 2022
i will be watching #Emancipation because there are people in hollywood guilty of a lot more than slapping chris rock
— kurt at the movies (@kurtkidman) November 29, 2022
I don't agree with any form of violence but the same way yt Hollywood supports their Paedophiles (Roman) and abusers ( Harvey Swinestein) i will be be supporting will.
If they are going to punish will then they should do the same to everybody else.
— cloud nugget 💕 SPARE💕 in his own words. (@CloudNuggie) November 29, 2022
This is not that deep. He slapped another man on tv. It’s not that serious.
— Addison (@DAdRobs) November 29, 2022
Some claimed they are not yet willing to forgive Smith for his actions.
First of all - No, I don’t give any of them a pass
Second - No, no one was being “ bullied “
Will did what he did, and he did it very publicly.
Bye bye Mr Smith
— 2 Retort (@2Retort) November 29, 2022
I’m not watching any of his new movies.
— Sheikh Tarawaly (@RealSheikhh) November 29, 2022
I can't watch any of his films. Won't pay to see any of his films again. And I paid to see quite a few, including "I am Legend", "I Robot", and "Enemy of the State".
— Hypocrisy Now. (@Hypocrisy_45) November 29, 2022
I am not sure I will ever be ready. Somehow that won't matter. It's not a matter of forgiveness It's a matter of respect.
— Stacy (@StacyDAlessand3) November 29, 2022
Many also argued the slap wasn't a big deal, but the platform on which he delivered it was.
That's why you don't hit somebody on what is your industries biggest night of the year. Trends to stick in people's minds more than things that nobody sees.
— Elön Musk's Brittle Spirit (@TheForthBishop) November 29, 2022
Harder to sweep it under the rug when you do it live at the Oscars.
— Peter Coene (@Coene_Arts) November 29, 2022
Those people also did things in their private lives…Will Smith attacked someone on stage…at the Oscars, if you don’t see the difference, you need help
— Anthony (@Sin1ster23) November 29, 2022
But it is that deep! He did it to himself. Nobody told him to slap Rock on national tv in front of MILLIONS! If his movie flops then its HIS fault..actions causes consequences!
— Natt (@nrod913) November 29, 2022
Yesterday, Smith told Entertainment Weeklyregarding the matter:
"The only discomfort my heart has around that is that so many people have done spectacular work on this film."
"I definitely lose a couple winks of sleep every night thinking that I could have potentially penalized my team, but I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that everyone gets seen in the light that they deserve."
You can watch the trailer for Emancipation here:
Emancipation Trailer #1 (2022)youtu.be