Netflix appears to be seeing how this Oscars situation with Will Smith plays out before moving forward with a planned movie starring the controversial actor. While having your lead star winning Best Lead Actor at the Academy Awards would typically be a great sign for any project, things are a bit different with Smith, considering what happened between the King Richard star and Chris Rock shortly before Smith’s Oscar win was announced.
At the ceremony, Rock had made a quip about Jada Pinkett Smith, resulting in Smith approaching the stand-up comedian on the stage. He smacked Rock and returned to his seat before additionally shouting profanities at the actor, telling him in colorful terms not to joke about Pinkett Smith any longer. Many feel Smith should have been arrested or escorted out of the building after the attack, but he was controversially allowed to stay behind and even deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech for his Oscar win through tears.
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The incident has led to great backlash against Smith. Even many who would say that Rock’s joke was in poor taste also agree that Smith crossed a line by getting violent with the comedian. Smith has since announced his resignation from the Academy and offered a public apology to Rock, calling his actions from that night “inexcusable.” Pinkett Smith also posted an image to Instagram where she called for “healing.”
In any case, the controversy has producers feeling apprehensive about moving forward with certain projects involving Smith. The Hollywood Reporter claims that Fast and Loose, a film in early development at Netflix with Smith attached to star, has been quietly placed on the shelf. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the streamer won’t try reigniting the project in the future if Smith gets to the point where the controversy dies down and he’s actively starring in movies again, or that production can’t get back on track with another lead actor on board.
Fast and Loose would have followed a crime boss who loses his memory after getting attacked, embarking on a journey to discover his true identity as a man living a double life as a wealthy kingpin and a broke CIA agent. David Leitch was originally on board to direct, but just happened to withdraw from the project one week before the Oscars to take on Universal’s Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling. Reportedly, Netflix had put out an urgent call for a replacement director with Smith still attached to star, but potentially losing their lead star as well has placed the project up on the shelf.
Bad Boys 4 Has Also Reportedly Been Paused
Sony Pictures
There have also been reports of Bad Boys 4 getting put on pause in light of the Oscars fiasco. Before the ceremony, Smith is said to have been given around 40 pages of the screenplay with the project chugging along with its pre-production process. Per the reports, the sequel will be halted at this time, perhaps depending upon how things ultimately play out with Smith and his acting career moving forward.
Smith has gone ahead and announced his own resignation from the Academy after apologizing publicly to Chris Rock through Instagram. He also said he is willing to accept any additional consequences the Academy sees fit, which could include rescinding his Best Lead Actor Oscar. In any case, it’s hard to say exactly what’s next for Smith at this time, but the studios he’s working with seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
