Can Will Smith overcome the controversy surrounding the slap heard around the world to win his second Oscar?
That’s the question facing Apple after it announced it would release “Emancipation,” a drama about a runaway slave that paid Smith $35 million to star and produce. The broadcaster is betting that outrage over Smith’s attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars has died down, especially after Smith recorded an embarrassing apology video.
But even if Smith became the first artist since Tom Hanks to score back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor, he wouldn’t be able to get his own in person. And he won’t even be able to accept it via satellite. That’s because in April, in the face of an almost certain expulsion, Smith decided to resign his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This was followed almost immediately by the decision of the Academy’s Board of Directors to ban him from television broadcasts of the Oscars and Academy-sponsored events for 10 years.
But even though he couldn’t accept his award on broadcast, Smith could still be nominated, and even win another Oscar.
It’s unclear how strong Smith can hold the award or whether Apple will push him into the crowded Best Actor race, which also features Brendan Fraser (“Whale”), Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Colin Farrell (“The Banshees from Inisherin”) and Hugh. Jackman (“The Son”), neither of which slapped a lovable stand-up during a world television event. But if Smith decided to put pressure on the body, he would not be able to do so at any gatherings of Academy members. He will have to turn himself in to the events presented by the likes of SAG and Golden Globes.
If Smith’s performance is able to overcome the publicly perceived “blacklist,” the Academy’s acting branch, made up of about 1,400 colleagues, acquaintances, and former Hollywood performers, could put him on the ballot for a nomination when the vote takes place January 12-17. The official names will be announced on January 24th.
Will Smith in “Emancipation” (Apple Originals)
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In the film, Smith plays Peter, a character based on the infamous “Whipped Peter,” a runaway slave whose image of his icy back became one of the most widely circulated images of the abolitionist movement during the American Civil War.
But that’s not the only category Smith could be nominated for.
The Academy has 18 chapters making up nearly 9,600 eligible voting members. In addition to voting in their specific field of specialization, they each vote in the Best Picture category, with 10 slots available on their ballots to list their favorite films of the year.
If “Emancipation” is nominated for an Academy Award, Smith, who serves as one of the film’s producers, along with John Moon (with at least his first full credit) and former nominees Todd Black (“Fences”), Joey McFarland (“The Wolf of Wall Street” ”) will be among the nominated producers (note: the Academy makes all final decisions on which candidates are eligible for production).
Smith has been nominated twice for the King Richard Award for Best Actor and Best Picture, and made history last year as the second black man to be nominated in both categories (after Denzel Washington for “Fences”) and the first black man to produce himself in an acting win.
Liberation was shown over the weekend in Washington, D.C. as part of the Congressional Black Foundation’s Legislative Conference, along with groups from Congressional Black Congressmen, Historically Black College and Universities, the National Coalition for Black Civic Engagement, the Rise of Power, and #Win With black women. Smith and Fuqua spoke personally at the event.
Early reactions were positive from those present, including Donna Brazile, the former chair of the Democratic National Committee. saying in a tweet“A powerful image highlighting how Black ppl [people] They fought for freedom.”
Tonya C. Williams, director of strategic communications for Emily List, called him “A powerful and haunting depiction of the horrors of slavery. Will Smith, who played Peter brilliantly, spoke of how he (and we) held a space in this world using Peter’s life as an example.”
Additionally, Angela Ray, Director and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, as it is called “A powerful story rooted not only in our history, but also our resilience as a people.”
For Apple, the decision to release “Emancipation” was clear. As it stands, last year’s best movie hero “CODA” (2021) has a lovable, albeit quiet, charming character, “Cha Cha Real Smooth” from writer, director, and star Cooper Raiff. Toronto hasn’t cemented its other titles in a significant way – “Causeway” with Jennifer Lawrence, “Raymond & Ray” with Ewan McGregor, and “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” with Zac Efron. Next year, the filmmaker will compete with two masters of filmmaking, Martin Scorsese with “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Ridley Scott with “Napoleon”. It would be ridiculous to inject a barrage of slap-related questions into battle.
Read: Latest predictions, visit miscellaneous Oscars distribution.
However, it should be noted that Smith is not the only owner of “Emancipation”. Antoine Fuqua, an admired and well-respected director for more than 25 years, is at the helm of the company. The same person who gave Denzel Washington the car that brought him the much-anticipated lead actor statue for “Training Day” (2001). If the hype about film quality proves true, and we’ve reached the “Fuqua moment” when only six black directors have been nominated in 94 years, shouldn’t that be allowed to happen?
Can Apple weather this “liberation” storm for all the creators involved? Are Oscar voters and consumers ready to put the slap behind them? Awards season will tell.
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