Apple May Give Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ a 2022 Release and Awards Campaign, After All (Report)
thewrap.comthe New York Times reports, the highly publicized altercation between the “King Richard” Best Actor winner and comedian Chris Rock has ignited an internal debate at Apple as executives reconsider delaying their release of Smith’s next awards season hopeful: his upcoming Civil War drama, “Emancipation,” for which the studio paid a staggering $120 million to acquire in 2020.
Although Apple pushed the film’s release to 2023 in May following Smith’s public fallout, three people involved with the film speaking anonymously with The Times said that Apple staffers have discussed releasing “Emancipation” by the end of this year, within the window of eligibility for awards consideration.
But such a move naturally raises the question: What would that release and subsequent awards campaign even look like? In the aftermath of the slap, Smith has rescinded his membership to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and he’s been banned from attending all Academy-related events – including the Oscars – for the next 10 years.
Of course, Smith isn’t the only talent attached to the film that could be worthy of being recognized for their work – and he would, in fact, still be eligible for an acting nomination at the awards. “Emancipation” comes from “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua and screener William N.
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