Apple TV+ has released the trailer and set a December release date for Emancipation, the Antoine Fuqua film starring Will Smith that had its release put on pause after Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars earlier this year.
Now, despite expectations that Emancipation would be pushed to 2023, Apple has set a Dec. 2 theatrical release date followed by a Dec. 9 streaming release.
The original plan for Emancipation was for it to come out in 2022, but that plan was derailed on Oscars night back in March when Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, losing her hair due to alopecia. Shortly afterward, he won the Oscar for Best Actor for his starring role in King Richard. The actor later released an emotional video apologizing to Rock and his family. In May, Variety reported that Apple made a decision to delay the release of Emancipation until 2023.
Now that Emancipation is coming out in December, it’s back in awards contention — a strategic move by Apple, which won its first Best Picture Academy Award last year for CODA. But if Emancipation does get nominated for an Oscar, Smith won’t be there, considering he resigned from the Academy and has been banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years.
Smith stars in Emancipation as Peter, who escapes slavery and goes on the run through the swamps of Louisiana to escape the plantation owners who nearly killed him.
“I heard it myself. Slaves are free,” Smith says as Peter in the trailer. “We must get to Lincoln’s army. Five days through the swamp,” he adds. “I will look in triumph at my enemies.”
Based on a true story, Emancipation was written by William N. Collage. The film also stars Ben Foster, Grant Harvey, Imani Pullum, Charmaine Bingwa, and Mustafa Shakir. Smith produces alongside Todd Black, Joey McFarland, and Jon Mone. Executive producers include Glen Basner, Chris Bridgham, Antoine Fuqua, Scott Greenberg, James Lassiter, Cliff Roberts, and Heather Washington.
Watch the trailer above.
Main Image: Smith in Emancipation. Photo Credit: Apple TV+
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