The “slap heard round the world” appears to be coming back around to haunt Will Smith less than a year after the infamous incident at last year’s Academy Awards show.
A survey conducted by The Hollywood Reporter asked the movers and shakers of Hollywood about their thoughts on actor Will Smith’s potential as a nominee this year for his new movie “Emancipation.”
Their responses can best be described as less than liberating for Smith.
The outlet noted that most respondents said they are willing to forgive and forget up to a point, that being actually watching Smith’s new film, opening in selected theaters on December 2 and then switching exclusively to Apple TV+ on December 9.
After that, the point seems to be more one of an arrow, many of them in fact.
#Oscars | Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock In The Face On Oscars Stage After Jab At Wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s Appearance https://t.co/6TZkI48QNh pic.twitter.com/ibpffmh2Mc
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 28, 2022
“I was surprised but not surprised learning of the release of Emancipation this year,” Lawrence David Foldes, a member of the producers branch of the Academy, said according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Surprised because I believe that the industry should shun Smith, not embrace and boost his image,” Foldes continued, “Not surprised because of Apple’s interest in recovering its investment and hoping to cash in on, and profit from, Smith’s involvement. However, bigger films with larger losses have been shelved for lesser things — and not demonstrating to the public that the industry has some morsel of integrity and ethics only further validates the public’s impression of our industry’s hunger for dollars above all else. Would I vote for Smith? NO F[*]CKING WAY. His shameful violent outburst and pathetic sniveling ‘acceptance’ diatribe witnessed by millions — and his blatant disrespect of the Academy — should preclude him from any consideration and reward from AMPAS members for life.”
“No chance I would vote for him. This is likely coming from Smith — the decision to release it now, I mean — and it shows the same hubris and arrogance that had him go dancing after the Oscars,” noted a member of the directors branch, as quoted by the Reporter.
Another such member reportedly stated: “Will Smith should have been asked to take part in an Academy-mandated anger-management program before being readmitted or having his work considered for awards. Apple, of course, can do whatever they wish, but the Academy should not feel compelled to buy into the circus that will surround this project.”
“Frankly, I’m getting tired of the slave theme for now. But yes, I would consider voting for him if he is great in something,” allowed a more sympathetic respondent.
Smith, for his part, did apologize to Rock after the shocking assault.
Will Smith resigns from the Academy with dramatic gesture, braces for more heat https://t.co/cwBNxqHs8B pic.twitter.com/7s3rVNGgCn
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) April 2, 2022
Parade magazine reports that as of August 2 of this year, Chris Rock has not responded to Will Smith’s latest apology.
The “Men in Black” megastar has been banned from attending Oscar presentation ceremonies for ten years as his punishment for the offense.
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