Will Smith’s film projects were shelved after the Oscar smack

Development of Will Smith-related film projects was reportedly halted following his altercation with Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Last month, the actor slapped the comedian onstage during the Oscars after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. After numerous apologies about the incident, Smith resigned from the Academy, describing his actions as “shocking, painful and inexcusable”.

• READ MORE: A history of Oscar scandals – is Will Smith’s slap really the most controversial of all time?

Accordingly The Hollywood ReporterNetflix has quietly stopped producing a thriller film Fast and easy after the incident. The film was set to star Smith as a crime boss who loses his memory only to learn he’s living a double life.

It claims Netflix is ​​cautious about moving forward with the project given Smith’s actions, adding that it’s “unclear” if they would attempt to make the film with a different lead actor and director. David Leitch (dead pool 2) was originally in charge of directing, but dropped out to take the helm a week before the Oscars fall guy with Ryan Gosling.

According to the report, Sony has also halted production bad boys 4 which was in active development prior to the Oscars. Apple TV+ also declined to comment on the film emancipationscheduled for release in 2022, past a specific release date.

NME has reached out to Netflix and Sony for comment.

Shortly after Smith’s incident at the Oscars, The Academy launched a formal review to “explore further actions and consequences.” The matter is to be the focus of the Academy’s next board meeting, scheduled for April 18.

In his statement announcing his departure from The Academy, Smith wrote: “I have betrayed the Academy’s trust. I deprived other nominees and winners of the opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. My heart is broken. I want to bring the focus back to those who deserve recognition for their accomplishments and allow the Academy to go back to the incredible work they do to support creativity and artistry in film.

“As such, I resign my membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any further consequences that the board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”