<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/will-smith-and-wife-jada-pinkett-make-first-red-carpet-appearance-after-oscar-slap-539067">Will Smith</a></strong>'s first film release after the infamous Oscar slap incident earlier this year, titled 'Emancipation' has received mixed critical reception thus far. An Antoine Fuqua directorial, 'Emancipation' is a historical action film based on a true story. It has scored a rating of 53 per cent on the popular review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads, "Emancipation works as an action movie -- albeit one that's uncomfortably at odds with its awkward handling of the real-life events that inspired its stirring story."</p>

<p>In 'Emancipation', Smith plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character, evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable images from the Civil War era.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wafyhTpWpUs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Earlier, Smith had said that he understands if people are not ready to watch him on the big screen again so soon after the slap, but he expressed concerns about the team behind the film.</p>

<p>“I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready. My deepest concern is my team. Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work in his entire career … the people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team," Smith told Fox 5.</p>

<p>On March 27, during the Academy Awards ceremony, Will Smith did not like a joke made by presenter Chris Rock at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. He walked up to the stage and whacked Chris Rock across the face in response. The act created an uproar that ultimately led the Academy to ban Smith for 10 years from Oscars or related events. Later in the ceremony, amazingly, Smith went on to win his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the sports drama 'King Richard'.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Will Smith's first film release after the infamous Oscar slap incident earlier this year, titled 'Emancipation' has received mixed critical reception thus far. An Antoine Fuqua directorial, 'Emancipation' is a historical action film based on a true story.

Will Smith's first film release after the infamous Oscar slap incident earlier this year, titled 'Emancipation' has received mixed critical reception thus far. An Antoine Fuqua directorial, 'Emancipation' is a historical action film based on a true story. It has scored a rating of 53 per cent on the popular review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads, "Emancipation works as an action movie -- albeit one that's uncomfortably at odds with its awkward handling of the real-life events that inspired its stirring story." In 'Emancipation', Smith plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character, evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable images from the Civil War era. Earlier, Smith had said that he understands if people are not ready to watch him on the big screen again so soon after the slap, but he expressed concerns about the team behind the film. “I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready. My deepest concern is my team. Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work in his entire career … the people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team," Smith told Fox 5. On March 27, during the Academy Awards ceremony, Will Smith did not like a joke made by presenter Chris Rock at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. He walked up to the stage and whacked Chris Rock across the face in response. The act created an uproar that ultimately led the Academy to ban Smith for 10 years from Oscars or related events. Later in the ceremony, amazingly, Smith went on to win his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the sports drama 'King Richard'.

'Emancipation' reviews: Will Smith's first film after Oscar slap garners mixed reception

<p>Will Smith has been speaking about the Oscar slap for the first time publicly to late-night television hosts. He is anticipating backlash to his upcoming projects like 'Emancipation' due to the incident that sent shockwaves across the world earlier this year. While speaking to Fox 5,&nbsp;he said that he understands if people are not ready to watch him on the big screen again so soon, but he expressed concerns about the team behind the film, including the director Antoine Fuqua.</p>

<p>“I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready. My deepest concern is my team. Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work in his entire career … the people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team," said Smith.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gKnJeQV9IIY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>“So at this point, that’s what I’m working for. That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping that the material, the power of the film, the timeliness of the story – I’m hoping that the good that can be done – will open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognise and support the incredible artists in and around this film," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On March 27, during the Academy Awards ceremony, Will Smith did not like a joke made by presenter Chris Rock at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. He walked up to the stage and whacked Chris Rock across the face in response. The act created an uproar that ultimately led the Academy to ban Smith for 10 years from Oscars or related events. Later in the ceremony, amazingly, Smith went on to win his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the sports drama 'King Richard'.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4O1DgGnmIJM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>In 'Emancipation', Smith plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character, evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable images from the Civil War era.</p>

<p>Smith also gave a sort-of explanation of the slap in an interview with The Daily Show's Trevor Noah. He said, “[There are] many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just, I lost it, you know. I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through.”</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Will Smith has been speaking about the Oscar slap for the first time publicly to late-night television hosts. He is anticipating backlash to his upcoming projects like 'Emancipation' due to the incident that sent shockwaves across the world earlier this year.

Will Smith has been speaking about the Oscar slap for the first time publicly to late-night television hosts. He is anticipating backlash to his upcoming projects like 'Emancipation' due to the incident that sent shockwaves across the world earlier this year. While speaking to Fox 5, he said that he understands if people are not ready to watch him on the big screen again so soon, but he expressed concerns about the team behind the film, including the director Antoine Fuqua. “I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready. My deepest concern is my team. Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work in his entire career … the people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team," said Smith. “So at this point, that’s what I’m working for. That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping that the material, the power of the film, the timeliness of the story – I’m hoping that the good that can be done – will open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognise and support the incredible artists in and around this film," he added. On March 27, during the Academy Awards ceremony, Will Smith did not like a joke made by presenter Chris Rock at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. He walked up to the stage and whacked Chris Rock across the face in response. The act created an uproar that ultimately led the Academy to ban Smith for 10 years from Oscars or related events. Later in the ceremony, amazingly, Smith went on to win his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the sports drama 'King Richard'. In 'Emancipation', Smith plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character, evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable images from the Civil War era. Smith also gave a sort-of explanation of the slap in an interview with The Daily Show's Trevor Noah. He said, “[There are] many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just, I lost it, you know. I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through.”

Will Smith understands if people don't watch his films post Oscar slap: 'My deepest hope...'

<p>The year has not been ideal for Will Smith, largely because of his own actions. In March this year, Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock over a joke comedian-actor had made on Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in an incident that can best be described as chivalry gone wrong. While Smith went on to win his first Oscar for 'King Richard' later in the ceremony, the Academy banned him for 10 years from the Oscars and all related events. He has also been criticised by many in Hollywood Smith has apologised for his actions, including <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smith-apologises-to-chris-rock-his-family-for-the-oscar-slap-incident-my-behaviour-was-unacceptable-501833">publicly in a video </a></strong>addressed to Rock. However, it might be a while before he recovers his reputation, if ever.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGoNxmTDsJs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Smith's Antoine Fuqua-directed historical thriller 'Emancipation', in which the actor plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable photos of the Civil War era.</p>

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<p>In a screening of the film, Hollywood bigwigs like singer Rihanna, comedian Dave Chappelle, actor-director Tyler Perry, rapper ASAP Rocky, among others were present.</p>

<p>Smith shared a picture on his Instagram that shows him and other luminaries at the screening. "EPIC night!! Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!" he wrote in the caption.</p>

<p>It is telling that Smith's film is being supported by luminaries in the entertainment industry. Despite what happened, he does not seem to have overly suffered much due to a very public act of violence that would have wrecked many others' careers.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-will-smith-apologises-to-chris-rock-his-family-for-the-oscar-slap-incident-my-behaviour-was-unacceptable-501833">Will Smith apologises to Chris Rock, his mom, family for the Oscar slap: 'My behaviour was unacceptable'</a></strong></p>

<p>Perhaps Smith's apology video helped? In a July video titled ‘It’s been a minute...’ that Smith shared on his social media accounts, he said he has been doing a lot of thinking and has decided to answer a few fair questions that have been posed to him regarding the slap.</p>

<p>In an answer to a question as to why he did not apologise to Rock in his acceptance speech, he said, “I was fogged out by that point. It’s all fuzzy.” He went on to say that he reached out to Rock but received the answer that he is not ready to talk to him at the moment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable. I am here whenever you are ready to talk,” Smith said. He added, “That was one of the things about that moment. I just didn’t realise. I wasn’t thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. So I want to apologise to Chris’ mother. I want to apologise to Chris’ family.”</p>

<p>'Emancipation' will release in US theatres on December 2, before released on Apple TV+ in the US and elsewhere from December 9.</p>


The year has not been ideal for Will Smith, largely because of his own actions. In March this year, Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock over a joke comedian-actor had made on Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in an incident that can best be described as chivalry gone wrong.

The year has not been ideal for Will Smith, largely because of his own actions. In March this year, Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock over a joke comedian-actor had made on Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in an incident that can best be described as chivalry gone wrong. While Smith went on to win his first Oscar for 'King Richard' later in the ceremony, the Academy banned him for 10 years from the Oscars and all related events. He has also been criticised by many in Hollywood Smith has apologised for his actions, including publicly in a video addressed to Rock. However, it might be a while before he recovers his reputation, if ever. Meanwhile, Smith's Antoine Fuqua-directed historical thriller 'Emancipation', in which the actor plays the role of an ex-slave who escapes his captors. The film has Peter, Smith's character evading pursuers to reach North and joining the Union Army, the force that vanquished the slavery-supporting Confederate States Army. The film, penned by William N. Collage, is based on a fascinating real story of Gordon or 'Whipped Slave'. The image of his back, marked with scars of whipping, was one of the most remarkable photos of the Civil War era. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) In a screening of the film, Hollywood bigwigs like singer Rihanna, comedian Dave Chappelle, actor-director Tyler Perry, rapper ASAP Rocky, among others were present. Smith shared a picture on his Instagram that shows him and other luminaries at the screening. "EPIC night!! Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!" he wrote in the caption. It is telling that Smith's film is being supported by luminaries in the entertainment industry. Despite what happened, he does not seem to have overly suffered much due to a very public act of violence that would have wrecked many others' careers. Also Read: Will Smith apologises to Chris Rock, his mom, family for the Oscar slap: 'My behaviour was unacceptable' Perhaps Smith's apology video helped? In a July video titled ‘It’s been a minute...’ that Smith shared on his social media accounts, he said he has been doing a lot of thinking and has decided to answer a few fair questions that have been posed to him regarding the slap. In an answer to a question as to why he did not apologise to Rock in his acceptance speech, he said, “I was fogged out by that point. It’s all fuzzy.” He went on to say that he reached out to Rock but received the answer that he is not ready to talk to him at the moment. “Chris, I apologise to you. My behaviour was unacceptable. I am here whenever you are ready to talk,” Smith said. He added, “That was one of the things about that moment. I just didn’t realise. I wasn’t thinking but how many people got hurt in that moment. So I want to apologise to Chris’ mother. I want to apologise to Chris’ family.” 'Emancipation' will release in US theatres on December 2, before released on Apple TV+ in the US and elsewhere from December 9.

Will Smith's first film after slapgate gets thumbs up from Rihanna, Dave Chappelle