Apple, Netflix bail out of bidding war for Will Smith biopic amid controversy
Apple TV+ and Netflix have pulled out of the bidding war on the Will Smith biopic after the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Credit: The New York Times
Apple was among several companies fighting to secure rights to a film about Smith's life based on his best-selling autobiography published in 2021. However, The Sun reports that Apple has removed its bid for the film.
"Netflix and Apple+ have quietly removed their bids for a Will Smith biopic and will instead relocate the funds and develop original ideas from new black actors," a source said.
Reportedly, working with Smith has become a "risky business" following the controversy surrounding the actor's slap. The controversy started when Smith stormed onto the stage at the Oscars and slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
At the Oscars, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his part in "King Richard," beating out Denzel Washington's portrayal of the titular character in Apple TV+ film "The Tragedy of Macbeth."
After seemingly defending his actions during his Oscar acceptance speech, Smith later apologized for his actions and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Smith is currently slated to star in a new original film for Apple TV+ called "Emancipation." However, production was halted on the film because of Covid-19. Additionally, Apple was among several companies sued for alleged sexual harassment that took place during the movie's making.
Read on AppleInsider
Credit: The New York Times
Apple was among several companies fighting to secure rights to a film about Smith's life based on his best-selling autobiography published in 2021. However, The Sun reports that Apple has removed its bid for the film.
"Netflix and Apple+ have quietly removed their bids for a Will Smith biopic and will instead relocate the funds and develop original ideas from new black actors," a source said.
Reportedly, working with Smith has become a "risky business" following the controversy surrounding the actor's slap. The controversy started when Smith stormed onto the stage at the Oscars and slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
At the Oscars, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his part in "King Richard," beating out Denzel Washington's portrayal of the titular character in Apple TV+ film "The Tragedy of Macbeth."
After seemingly defending his actions during his Oscar acceptance speech, Smith later apologized for his actions and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Smith is currently slated to star in a new original film for Apple TV+ called "Emancipation." However, production was halted on the film because of Covid-19. Additionally, Apple was among several companies sued for alleged sexual harassment that took place during the movie's making.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
He made a mistake. He didn't help himself much after that mistake with the Vanity Fair celebrations but it remains a mistake. It's OK to say he should have known better and he should shoulder the blame for his actions etc. Of course he should. And IMO he should apologise to Rock in person especially if Rock was unaware of his wife's condition. Hopefully it's a one off and should be seen as such. I give him the benefit of the doubt at this point.
If Apple and Netflix were bidding for what would be a biopic then this kind of 'politically correct' decision is unfortunate.
The film will get a release at some point anyway.
After their lack of instutiutional control after the Chapelle controversy. They are increasingly becoming
A company I dislike. I only put up with Apple TV+ because it's cheap. They're run buy a cabal
of effete self absorded neo liberals who shame you for an act of emotion while peddling another Slave movie (Emancipation)
Dry ....Up....And....Blow...Away.
the slap. It was not even a punch. It’s over. I feel that the other guy Chris Rock is just as much to blame with his atrocious idea of what humor is.
A lot of A-list actors, including Will Smith, start their own production companies to help themselves secure big roles and top billing. Will Smith made Overbook Entertainment which helps him in these regards. In 2019 Will Smith and his wife formed another company, Westbrook Inc, which apparently does much the same thing, but is now a parent company of Overbook. National Geographic has first dibs on Westbrook films, which is odd, and I wonder if NatGeo will cancel their arrangement now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overbrook_Entertainment <--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbrook_(company) <--