The 2022 Oscars are sure to be ones that will never be forgotten, whether it’s for the first-ever best picture award to a streaming service or the on-stage clash between Will Smith and Chris Rock. But the fallout from the controversial slap hasn’t boded well for Will Smith, as Apple TV+ reportedly dropped bids on the actor’s biopic.
As reported by The Sun, platforms like Netflix and Apple TV+ were interested in acquiring the rights to a Will Smith biopic based on his best-selling autobiography. However, following the events of the Oscars, both companies reportedly “quietly withdrew” their bids to work on the project.
But a source revealed yesterday: “Netflix and Apple+ have quietly withdrawn their bids for a Will Smith biopic and will instead reallocate funds and come up with original ideas from new black actors. Working with Will has become a risky business. They now plan to develop ideas with more family-friendly stars like Mike Epps and Michael B. Jordan.”
We don’t know if the report comes from reliable sources, but Apple is indeed known for not wanting to be associated with controversy. For those who didn’t see the Oscars and somehow missed the news, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife’s hair onstage. The slap was broadcast live around the world and had negative media repercussions.
It’s also worth remembering that Will Smith is starring in the new Apple TV+ movie Emancipation, which has already been filmed and is expected to premiere later this year, but Apple has no word on what will happen to the movie after the incident .
At the 2022 Oscars, the Apple TV+ film CODA won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Troy Kotsur). However, since “CODA” was only acquired by Apple and not produced by the company, the film is not available on Apple TV+ in all markets.
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