It’s been almost nine months since the infamous Oscars Chris Rock slap, and Will Smith’s career is still feeling the fallout from the incident.
Emancipation (2022), the latest Smith project and film he has deemed as particularly “dear” to him, hasn’t landed the way he hoped. In fact, it has been the total opposite
According to a report by Radar Online, Will Smith is hurt and angry at Emancipation being snubbed by the 2023 Golden Globes. And the feeling has only intensified with the film’s very modest box office grossing. So far the slavery drama, which cost $120 million to make, has only earned an average of $3k per screen.
Will Smith was hoping that the film would ease his post-slap comeback. After laying low for 6 months on social media after the incident, the 54-year old Oscar-winning actor had hopes that his image had improved enough for the film to be a success.
An insider told Radar Online: “Will knows it’s a long road to redemption and a lot of folks won’t forgive him. But this really rams it home.”
Will Smith is allegedly regretting not delaying a project that he believed would truly be a marquee moment in his career.
Will Smith is also saddened at being shun by Tom Cruise, who has no interest in having any relationship with him at all: on a professional or personal basis.
“Will has approached Tom several times, trying to reconnect and see if they can brainstorm on some projects together,” the same source claimed. “A solid movie with Tom would guarantee Will’s comeback, or so he thinks. Will has even offered to fly to London if that’s more convenient, but Tom isn’t biting and doesn’t even write him back.”
[via]