Will Smith’s first film since Oscars slap to be out in December – in time for 2023 awards
- The release date for historical thriller Emancipation had been in limbo after the actor struck comedian Chris Rock on stage over a joke about his wife
- Smith is banned from attending the Oscars ceremony for 10 years, but he is still eligible to be nominated and win
Actor Will Smith’s first movie since he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards, a historical thriller called Emancipation, will debut in cinemas in December, a move that makes the film eligible for next year’s Oscars.
Distributor Apple Inc announced the timing in a statement and released a trailer on Monday. Emancipation, which tells the story of a man who escapes from slavery, was filmed before Smith attacked Rock on stage in February but its release date had been uncertain.
One of Apple’s most high-profile productions yet, the film had once been expected to be an Oscar contender. But an awards-season roll-out of a film headlined by Smith has obvious complications.
Smith is banned from attending the Oscars ceremony for 10 years, but he is still eligible to be nominated and win.
The actor has publicly apologised to Rock, the film academy and the public for slapping the comedian over a joke about the appearance of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Less than an hour later, Smith won best actor for playing the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard.