Will Smith Tackles Potential “Suspension, Expulsion” from the Academy; The actor would not leave the Oscars after slapping Chris Rock, despite organizers asking for representatives

Updated for more details: Hours before Chris Rock takes the stage in Boston tonight, the fate of Will Smith’s angry comedian at Sunday’s Oscars is in his hands after an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences meeting. Board of Directors this afternoon.

Chris Rock was greeted with a standing ovation in the first show after winning an Oscar, with brief hints of an accident.

“In accordance with the Academy’s Code of Conduct and California law, Mr. Smith receives at least 15 days’ notice of his violations and sanctions and the opportunity to be heard in advance via a written response. L The academy today announced a “disciplinary procedure” which began after the conclusion of a virtual meeting of dozens of governors and other auxiliaries of the AMPAS, permitted by internal regulations and rules of conduct.

Read the full statement below.

Hollywood responds to Oscar Silas: physical abuse, many say; “How do we do it?” says Jayden Smith

As expected, the vote among the 50 governors was overwhelming to continue with the theme.

Incredibly, the academy showed that the recently revealed Best Male Actor winner was asked to leave the Dolby Theater after Rock punched Jada Pinkett Smith for a crack in her hair. King Richard The star has clearly fallen.

“While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also acknowledge that we could have handled the situation differently,” said the academy of the disturbing incident at the 94th Academy Awards produced by Will. Packer.

Comedians gather around Chris Rock to express concern over comic book violence: “Now we all have to think.”

Although Smith was seen talking to Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper, and Tyler Perry shortly after hitting a rock and screaming, he was actually a member of the academy’s top management trying to get the former Fresh Prince out. I understand. To avoid another outburst, the request wasn’t made directly to Smith, but through the actor’s reps, apparently.

Several board members, including Steven Spielberg, former Oscar host Whoopi Goldberg, and co-CEO David Lind, were unaware of Smith’s departure during Sunday’s virtual meeting. “It was a real shock,” a source familiar with the situation told Deadline.

Minutes and hours after Rock’s attack, the organizers and producers of the Oscars are targeted for allowing Smith to stand opposite and alongside Pinkett Smith. The apparent paralysis was further exacerbated by the fact that the best actor was the man’s favorite, who had nearly 45 minutes before his category win was announced.

Oscar TV review: Will Smith’s unwritten slap in the face of Chris Rock turns the Ostacle Show into an impressive sight

In his long and tearful speech, Smith compared his behavior with that of Richard Williams, tennis legend Venus and father of Serena, to care for and protect his family. As he apologized to the academy and others, as well as requesting an invitation, Smith said no to Nada or rock.

As the reaction to his behavior escalated, Smith apologized for the comics on Monday.

Jada Pinkett Smith talks about the “healing season” in a short statement after Will Smith’s Academy Award

Even when reports of a failed application spread on March 27, three days after the noise continued, Wednesday’s board meeting was always about what to do in the process and not drop the hammer. “Hopefully this is more than CNN C-SPAN,” a Deadline attendee said ahead of today’s digital session.

While Sunday is unprecedented to be on stage and living in the dust as it is a bureaucratic entity, the council will need time to determine the next steps, as the academy noted in its press release Tuesday evening and today. declaration.

Beyoncé, Chris Rock and Regina Hall Pat-Down: the best and worst moments of the 2022 Oscars.

AMPAS may also contact other parties involved in the incident, but Rock is not required to participate. Another question is whether the police will be involved. The academy could have filed a lawsuit against Smith even though Rock refused to file a police report after being contacted by the LAPD on Sunday night.

Smith faces up to six months in prison and a $ 100,000 fine if convicted of assault. Perhaps he will say more at tonight’s performances at The Wilbur in Boston.

“Silas heard around the world”: how the international media responded to the disturbing moment of Will Smith’s Oscar

We propose today’s announcement of the Academy:

The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violating the academy’s standards of conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening conduct, and violating the academy’s integrity.

In accordance with the Academy’s Code of Conduct and California law, Mr. Smith receives at least 15 days’ notice of his violations and sanctions and the opportunity to be heard in advance via a written response. On April 18, at the next meeting of the Council, the Academy will be able to adopt any disciplinary measure that may include suspension, expulsion or other sanctions provided for by its statute and rules of conduct.

Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Academy Awards were a deeply shocking and traumatic event in person and on television. Mr. Rock, I apologize for what he experienced on our stage and thank you for putting up with that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and spectators for what happened during the festive event.

The events unfolded in a way that we could not expect. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and he refused, we also acknowledge that we could have handled the situation differently.