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brooklynite

(93,851 posts)
Sun Sep 18, 2022, 08:09 PM Sep 2022

Apple Shot an Oscar Contender Starring Will Smith. That Was Before the Slap.

New York Times

Mr. Smith is the star of “Emancipation,” a film set during the Civil War era that Apple envisioned as a surefire Oscar contender when it wrapped filming earlier this year. But that was before Mr. Smith strode onto the stage at the Academy Awards in March and slapped the comedian Chris Rock, who had made a joke about Mr. Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Mr. Smith, who also won best actor that night, has since surrendered his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and has been banned from attending any Academy-related events, including the Oscar telecast, for the next decade.

Now Apple finds itself left with a $120 million unreleased awards-style movie featuring a star no longer welcome at the biggest award show of them all, and a big question: Can the film, even if it succeeds artistically, overcome the baggage that now accompanies Mr. Smith?

The sensitivity of the situation is apparent. According to three people involved with the film who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the company’s planning, there have been discussions inside Apple to release “Emancipation” by the end of the year, which would make it eligible for awards consideration. Variety reported in May, however, that the film’s release would be pushed into 2023.

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Apple Shot an Oscar Contender Starring Will Smith. That Was Before the Slap. (Original Post) brooklynite Sep 2022 OP
and here I thought ppl made movies to tell an interesting story, not win ego jacking awards nt msongs Sep 2022 #1
Why do you assume they don't brooklynite Sep 2022 #2
If its a good movie and makes lots of money for the company, skylucy Sep 2022 #3

skylucy

(3,734 posts)
3. If its a good movie and makes lots of money for the company,
Sun Sep 18, 2022, 08:36 PM
Sep 2022

would they really care if it gets considered for or wins an Academy Award?

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