Before this year’s Oscars ceremony, one film that was shaping up to be a potential awards-season favorite for late 2022 was the Will Smith-led drama “Emancipation” for the Apple TV+ service.
Then the Oscars happened with Smith assaulting Chris Rock on stage and it looked like a release this year of that film wouldn’t happen. As sentiment surrounding Smith doesn’t appear to have significantly improved, a new report suggests Apple may end up going with its original plan.
The New York Times reports that people within Apple are discussing the idea of perhaps releasing “Emancipation” in theaters this December in time for awards consideration.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed film stars Smith as a slave in 19th century America who is on the run from his captors and becomes well-known after his abuse scars are shown in a newspaper.
Apple TV+ paid out a costly $120 million to distribute the film back when it seemed like a sure-fire awards contender. Now though, such a release raises obvious questions about the film’s legitimate awards chances, financial return and how much publicity Smith would do.
For now, “Emancipation” doesn’t have a release date.
