Apple to delay release of Will Smith's 'Oscars contender' movie Emancipation? All you need to know

The Will Smith movie was seen as a major Oscars contender by Apple before the infamous slapping incident happened the last march. Apple executives are concerned about the impact of the rage around the slap on the movie's release.

Agencies
Before the infamous slapping of American comedian Chris Rock by Hollywood star Will Smith, a movie starring the "Men in Black" actor was seen as a major contender for Oscars. However, Apple executives are reportedly undecided about the date of movie's release, according to reports.

Discussion on a delayed release within Apple:

A report said on Sunday that a serious discussion happened within Apple over the film's release. Their conversation was initiated by the tumult of "the slap heard 'round the world." So Apple executives are considering whether the movie 'Emancipation' will be delayed into 2023 or released before the end of the year.

For the rights alone, Apple shelled out $120 million for The Civil War drama, and if released later this year, the movie will be qualified to be considered in the forthcoming award season.


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And according to the NYT report, Apple executives are worried whether Smith's damaged reputation could stain Apple's brand upon the movie's release. Moreover, an Oscar campaign featuring Will Smith in the event of the film's success could hurt the company's position with the academy and its voting members.

The movie won't be judged on its merit: There's a "very high risk."

After the infamous slap at the Academy Awards, Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and was banned from attending any of its events for the next ten years. It implies that regardless of the movie's success, the actor couldn't be present at the ceremony.
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The delayed "Emancipation" project, which follows the story of an escaped enslaved person who fights against his oppressors by joining the Union Army, is a financial headache for the entertainment wing of Apple.

The former co-CEO of Fox Searchlight told NYT that everyone would be "talking about the slap" when people look at the movie, including press, reviewers, awards prognostications, and feature writers. He added that there's a high chance that the film won't be "judged on its pure merit."

According to sources, "Emancipation" generated an overwhelmingly positive response during a test screening earlier this year.

Initially, Smith screamed while sitting in his seat when Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith but then rushed to the stage and hit Rock. Moments later, he was awarded the Oscar for best actor.
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After the altercation, Smith kept a low profile.

FAQs:


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How much did Will Smith get paid for Emancipation?
$35 million, according to Variety.

How much is Will Smith worth?
A whopping $350 million in 2022, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
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