Apple in the Will Smith dilemma
What will happen to drama “Emancipation”?
Will Smith didn’t just hurt Chris Rock and himself with his Oscars freak out.
© Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ImageCollect
Is Apple sitting on a $120 million slow-moving product called “Emancipation” because of Will Smith’s slap in the face?
It’s been almost half a year since Will Smith (53) lost his temper during the Oscars and slapped comedian Chris Rock (57) in front of an audience of millions. For Smith, the outbreak of violence had massive consequences – instead of basking in the sun by winning his first Oscar at the height of his career, he has since degenerated into a box office poison.
The Apple production “Emancipation” shows how dire the consequences are for film studios. The civil war drama starring Smith, which is said to have cost around 120 million dollars and has already been completed, should actually be the next Oscar contender. But instead, according to the “New York Times”, Apple is currently preferrednot to say a word about the film.
Isn’t there a good time anymore?
Originally there was talk of a release in autumn of this year. This alone would be necessary to be eligible for the next Academy Awards on March 12, 2023. The submission deadline is November 15, 2022. Productions published after that date will no longer be considered. Should Apple also want to promote the film properly before the release, this would have to take place quite promptly.
The fact that, according to the report, the company instead refused any information about the film and its publication speaks volumes. In any case, a publication before the end of this year seems utopian. And should Apple want to see its leading actor Will Smith at the Oscars, you’ll have to be patient for a long time – the actor was excluded from the event for ten years for his slap in the face.