After the Will Smith slap, Emancipation release date is pushed back to 2023
Apple TV+ was gearing up for a massive blockbuster original picture, ‘Emancipation,’ directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Will Smith, in 2022, as part of its original film schedule.
Reports says that the film’s release has been postponed to 2023 as a result of the lingering backlash from Smith’s decision to assault Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.
There is no official release date for Emancipation yet, but it was widely thought to be one of Apple’s award-winning contenders for next year, with a release in the autumn.
Apple TV+ is the first streaming service to win an Oscar for best picture, following in the footsteps of Apple Original Film, which won the award for best picture in its first two years of eligibility.
Even though Emancipation had a decent chance of extending that run, Smith lost his rage at the Academy Awards and slapped Chris Rock in front of millions of viewers with a move so outlandish that many people initially assumed it was a bit. In the immediate aftermath of the occurrence, Emancipation’s chances of winning any accolades dwindled significantly.
Smith will be unable to attend any future Oscar ceremonies for the foreseeable future, even if he is still eligible for nomination.
Reports say that the film’s post-production is still in progress, which might explain the delay in release. For the sake of Emancipation’s chances of success, Apple is most certainly hoping that Smith’s reputation will have improved by autumn 2023, when the film will be released. After all, it cost more than $100 million to make the picture.