From Joseph Pisani's "Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ Will Be in Theaters Dec. 2, Apple Says" posted Monday by the Wall Street Journal:
A high-profile film starring actor Will Smith is set for release in December, about eight months after his confrontation with comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
Apple said Monday that “Emancipation” will premiere in theaters on Dec. 2 and a week later on its streaming service, Apple TV+.
The rollout would be similar to what the company did for “CODA,” which Apple TV+ released last year. The film won the best picture Oscar, the first such win for a streaming service or for Apple.
The timing could put Mr. Smith back on the awards circuit. Movies need to be released in theaters before the end of the year to be considered for that year’s Oscars awards, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs the show.
Mr. Smith was banned from Oscars award ceremonies for the next 10 years after he slapped Mr. Rock in the face on stage in March for making a joke about his wife.
Cue the teaser:
My take: Smith got the Academy's attention with that slap, didn't he? Beyond the People Magazine fodder, this sure looks like a movie Tim Cook would want released.
That validates what many of us have been saying. Still, the market may need time to ‘get it’.
He won academy awards in both Best Director and Best Picture categories in 1981 (“Tess”), and “The Pianist” 2003. Yet he wasn’t kicked out of the Academy until thirty (30) years later in 2018.
Based on that hypocrisy alone I have zero problem with Apple releasing a movie that doesn’t involve an actor or Director who committed the crime of child rape.
In any case, if Smith were nominated, he would not be on site to be shown or accept if wins. IMO, either way, it’s more of a positive for him as his absence punishment is followed but his work may be recognized. If Smith is not nominated for a possible Oscar-worthy performance, well, speculation sell clicks.
Perhaps the subtitle is “Road to Redemption”.
Prisoners can’t make money selling their story while in prison.
Smith’s slap was an affront to the whole industry. He shouldn’t be allowed to participate as a nominee or as an attendee. Period.
That doesn’t preclude other members of the cast or crew from enjoying full rights.
My guess is that he is now damaged goods and his career has been seriously and negatively impacted. That will be the unkindest cut of them all.
Punishing one for indiscretions (corruption) opens everybody else at the top for punishment.
It’s called circling the wagons for self protection.
Apple’s choice was to delay the release, or cash in on their investment sooner.
I think releasing this movie over the holidays was a well thought out financial decision calculated to give them the best return on their money.
Personally, I am no fan of Will Smith anymore. However, I do respect Apple‘s financial acumen.
Fact is, there are still plenty of Will Smith movies that are streaming on other platforms. In the end, this will just be one more.
Personally, I could give a rat’s ass about what social media thinks of anything. Making Will’s bad behavior at last year‘s Oscars the driving criteria for making this multi-million dollar investment decision, would be myopic.
Apple does not have to prove that they are on the right side of issues. For the stuff that really matters, like privacy and climate sustainability, for example, clearly they are.
Oh, the shame of Will Smith where he now wears the shackles of ugly public regard — personally induced.
Oh, the sad irony