Actor Will Smith is already receiving a cold reception from Oscar voters for his role within the hotly anticipated film “Emancipation.”
Many Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences members say they’ll never support him after his infamous slapping of Chris Rock, a report said Tuesday.
Apple plans to release the Smith-led Civil War drama on its streaming service in December – lower than a yr after Smith stormed the stage to confront over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The discharge window makes “Emancipation” eligible for consideration in the present awards season.
But many Oscars voters surveyed by The Hollywood Reporter said they’re wary of supporting Smith for a “best actor” nod or another accolades after the incident.
Apple is slated to release “Emancipation” in December.AP
“Would I vote for Smith? NO F–KING WAY,” Lawrence David Foldes, a member of producers branch of Academy voters, told the outlet.
“His shameful violent outburst and pathetic sniveling ‘acceptance’ diatribe witnessed by hundreds of thousands — and his blatant disrespect of the Academy — should preclude him from any consideration and reward from AMPAS members for all times,” Foldes added.
“Heavy sigh. No probability I’d vote for him,” an unnamed member of the executives’ branch quipped about Smith.
“Would I vote for Will Smith? Right after I vote for Trump,” added a member of the marketing/public relations branch.”
One other voter put their stance more simply.
“F–k him. So, no,” an anonymous member of the marketing/public relations voting branch said.
The Post has reached out to Apple for comment.
Apple faced a serious conundrum in find out how to handle “Emancipation’s” release after shelling out $120 million for the film’s distribution rights. The tech giant’s executives reportedly considered the drama a surefire Oscars contender prior to “The Slap.”
Will Smith resigned from the Academy after the slapping incident.Getty Images
As recently as last month, Apple was having internal debates over whether to release the movie this yr or delay it until 2023 as a consequence of concerns Smith’s involvement could tarnish the corporate’s fame with the Academy.
Smith slapped Rock after he made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Pinkett Smith had been open about her struggle with the hair loss condition alopecia.
Smith won one of the best actor Oscar for his work within the movie “King Richard” just minutes after the slap. He later apologized for his actions and resigned from the Academy. Moreover, he’s barred from attending any of the Academy’s events for the subsequent 10 years.
Will Smith has apologized for the slapping incident.
Some Oscars voters were more charitable of their remarks toward Smith, noting that the movie production involved many crew members who should be recognized.
“Stopping the discharge of a movie because its star did something offensive hurts the whole production and the lots of of people that worked on it,” a voter within the sound branch said. “Don’t watch if you happen to are so offended. Don’t vote for Smith if you happen to are so offended. That’s everyone’s right.”
Meanwhile, others said Apple should’ve shelved the movie entirely after Smith’s incident.
“Smith embarrassed the Academy, his peers and other people of color so badly with that reckless behavior that I won’t vote for him regardless of what, and Apple shouldn’t release the film for Academy or other consideration,” one other voter said.
“Emancipation” drew applause from audience members during a special screening hosted by the NAACP in October. The film stars Smith The drama stars Smith as a runaway slave who later joins the Union Army and fights back against his oppressors.
“Emancipation” will hit theaters on Dec. 2 and be available for streaming per week in a while Dec. 9.
