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Will Smith admits that his fans may not be “ready” to see him in the upcoming drama picture “Emancipation.”
This is the 54-year-old actor’s first project since his infamous slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022.
In a recent interview with FOX 5’s “Good Day DC,” journalist Kevin McCarthy asked “King Richard” award winner Will Smith what he would say to folks who say “I’m not ready” to see him again.
Smith told McCarthy, “I entirely understand that if someone is not ready, I would respect that and give them their space to not be ready.” “My main worry is for my crew — I believe [director Antoine Fuqua] has done the best job of his whole career.
The father of three stated, “My deepest prayer is that my actions do not negatively affect my team.”
Smith plays Peter, a fugitive slave who found refuge in Louisiana and eventually joined the Union Army.
Smith stated, “I’m hopeful that the content — the force of the picture, the relevance of the tale – will open people’s hearts at the very least to see and appreciate and support the wonderful artists in and around this film.”
“I fully get that if…someone is not prepared, I would certainly accept that and give them space to not be prepared…
My greatest hope is that my actions would not be detrimental to my team.”
Will Smith discusses audiences that are unprepared to watch his movie following the Academy Awards. #GoodDayDC image: http://twitter.com/2fc3YXbMa
28 November, 2022 — Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) on Twitter
In “Emancipation,” Smith portrays Peter, a fugitive slave who attempts to flee a southern plantation.
Smith stated, “I hope that the good that can be done will at least open people’s hearts to recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film.”
In a Vanity Fair profile published on November 15, Fuqua, 56, addressed the slap prior to the film’s release, stating, “My conversation was always, ‘Isn’t 400 years of slavery, of brutality, more important than one bad moment?’”
The director of “The Equalizer” went on to say, “We were in Hollywood, and there have been some truly heinous events, and we’ve seen a lot of people who have committed truly heinous acts receive awards.”
The director of “Training Day” concluded, “There are no excuses for anyone or anything, but I can say that he is a good man and I hope that people can forgive him and we can move forward.” “I hope Chris [Rock] and Will can find a way to reconcile, whether in public or in private.”
The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star’s assault on presenter Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards caused a stir in Hollywood.
Since then, Smith has been prohibited from attending the event for the next decade. On October 1, the NAACP hosted a special screening of “Emancipation” as part of the 51st Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Early audience reactions have been positive.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Smith told the audience and previewed the film by saying, “Throughout my career, I’ve turned down a number of slavery-based films.” “I never intended to show us that way. And suddenly this image appeared. And this film is not about slavery. This film is about liberty. This film is about perseverance. This is a faith-based film.
»Will Smith is aware that you do not wish to see him after the slap: “I completely comprehend”«