Will Smith's upcoming Netflix movie Fast & Loose has been put on hold following the actor's slapping of comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars. Before Rock's presentation of the award for Best Documentary Feature, the former Oscar host made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith's baldness, saying that he couldn't wait to see her in G.I. Jane 2. Jada recently shaved her head due to alopecia, an autoimmune condition that can cause hair loss. Although Rock's joke received laughs throughout the audience, including from Smith himself, the actor then stormed on stage and slapped Rock, later shouting "Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!" Later in the evening, Smith received the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Richard Williams in the sports drama, King Richard.
There was immediate fallout for Smith following the assault. Celebrities and social media rallied behind Rock, denouncing Smith for his actions. Reports quickly came out about potential legal action against the actor with the LAPD apparently talking to Rock, letting him know that they were prepared to arrest Smith for battery. Rock declined to press charges. The Academy immediately began an investigation that could lead to Smith's suspension and revocation of his Award. However, Smith resigned his membership from the Academy before action was be taken.
Now, according to a recent THR report, Smith's upcoming Netflix film Fast & Loose has been put on hold following the controversy surrounding his assault on Rock. The film was to star Smith as a crime boss who must piece his life together after suffering memory loss following an attack, eventually learning that he has led a double life as a poor CIA agent. Fast & Loose was previously in limbo as they searched for a director following filmmaker David Leitch stepping away from the project a week before the Oscar incident.
Since the slap, Smith has been dealing with various consequences. On a personal level, many of his friends, colleagues, and fans on social media have come out to denounce his actions. Ramifications to his career have been swift as well. Along with the hold on Smith's Netflix production, Bad Boys 4 has also been reportedly halted due to the backlash. The upcoming film in the Bad Boys franchise was announced shortly after Bad Boys for Life was released. Smith reportedly was given 40 pages of the script just days before the Oscar ceremony.
The controversy surrounding the incident at the Oscars has played out in the week since Smith's confronting Rock. Still, Netflix pulling away from Fast & Loose is another indication that Smith's actions will have consequences that reach outside of the Academy itself. How long those will last remains unclear - many celebrities before Smith have gone through great controversies but have come back to meet, and even exceed their previous fame. Smith's lengthy apology after his resignation from the Academy is just one way the actor has tried to recover from the incident, but for now, it wasn't enough to save Fast & Loose and it's unclear what it will take for the actor's image to recover completely.
Source: THR