Will Smith Worries About Effect Of Slap On ‘To Freedom’: ‘It’s Killing Me’

At the beginning of 2022 we contemplate one of the most media events in the recent history of the film industry. At the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith jumped out of his chair, walked onto the stage, and slapped Oscar host Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia. Months after what happened, the actor returned to talk about the event and shared his fear of how his decision could negatively affect the work of others.

In an interview with Trevor Noah on ‘The Daily Show’ about ‘To Freedom’, the actor’s upcoming film, much of the conversation ended up leading to one of the year’s topics: the slap on Chris Rock. Smith, handed a ten-year veto by the Academy, shared his desire that ‘Towards Freedom’ and the work of the team behind it not be negatively impacted at the Oscars by the event in which he starred: The idea of ​​being denied [los Óscar] because of me… this is killing me. The thing that strikes me the most is that these people (the team) came, trusted me and committed to me. I hope his work is appreciated and not tainted by my horrible decision.” It wasn’t the only time he expressed his concern for his film colleagues, in another interview, this time with kevin mccarthythe actor said he understands those people who still don’t want to support his films, but at the same time are worried that the ‘Freedom’ team is not appreciated: “My biggest concern is my team: Antoine (the director) has done what I think is the best work of his entire career. The people on this team have done some of the best work of his entire career and mine deeper hope is that my actions do not penalize my team”.

Smith also explained that during the public debate generated by the slap he became more aware of his shortcomings: “I always wanted to jump in and save the damsel in distress. And I had to humble myself and realize that I am a human being with imperfections. And I still have the opportunity to go out into the world and contribute in a way that fills my heart and maybe helps other people.”. He added that some of the issues in his life have conditioned his judgment to act this way and at the same time it has caused it to affect more people: “You never know what someone is going through… We just have to be nice to each other. It’s hard. What was painful for me, I took and made it hard for other people.”

‘to freedom’

After the media moment of the Oscars, there are several creative teams who have decided not to count on Will Smith for how the actor’s possible boycott could affect their product. Projects confirmed before the slap and in which Smith would star were also delayed, crippled or even cancelled, but ‘Towards Freedom’ director Antoine Fuqua decided to go ahead. In mid-November, in an interview with Vanity Fair, the director explained some of his reasons for continuing with the film, a project that portrays the slavery suffered by the black community: “The movie to me is bigger than that moment (the slap). Four Hundred Years a Slave is bigger than one moment. My hope is that people see it that way and see the movie and be moved by the great performance of Will and all the hard work put in by the team.” Fuqua also revealed that there have never been any talks between him, the producers and the broadcast platform, Apple, about canceling the film, but that there have been discussions about not releasing it in 2022.

‘To Freedom,’ available in select theaters December 2 and on Apple TV+ December 9, is A story based on true events that follows the path of Peter (Will Smith), a runaway slave who crosses the swamps of Louisiana on a arduous journey to escape the slavers who nearly killed him.