Oscar winner Will Smith has begun his first press interviews for his new slavery drama feature “Emancipation” and says he understands if audiences aren’t ready to see him in the film.
In a new interview with Washington D.C.’s Fox 5, the actor spoke about his feelings about audience hesitation to watch him on screen following his infamous slap of Chris Rock on the Dolby Theatre stage at this year’s Oscars.
He says that his deepest concern is how people will treat the rest of those involved in the production:
“I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready. My deepest concern is my team – Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career. The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team.
At this point, that’s what I’m working for. That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m hoping that the material, the power of the film, the timeliness of the story – I’m hoping that the good that can be done – will open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film.”
Smith specifically points out the work of director Antoine Fuqua, cinematographer Robert Richardson, production designer Naomi Shohan, costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck and co-star Charmaine Bingwa in the Apple Originals Film.
The project is based on a true story and stars Smith as a runaway slave named Peter as he navigates the swamps of Louisiana to escape the plantation owners that nearly killed him. He’s known better to the world as ‘Whipped Peter’ after photographs of keloid scarring on his back were distributed to show the brutality of slavery.
“Emancipation” premieres in cinemas on December 2nd and will stream on Apple TV+ starting December 9th.
"I completely understand that if…someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready…My deepest hope is that my actions don't penalize my team."
Will Smith on audiences who aren't ready to watch his films after Oscars. #GoodDayDC pic.twitter.com/2fc3XaXbMa
— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) November 28, 2022
