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| Image: 9 to 5 Mac |
Today the much-anticipated Will Smith’s movie has been released by Apple. The movie is about a slave escaping his captor in 1863. Inspired by the true story of the enslaved ‘Whipped Peter,’ whose photos in the press opened the public to the awareness of how slaves are poorly treated and guided public opinion towards the freedom movement.
Emancipation is streaming today on Apple TV+. Well, the movie is released against the backdrop of the controversy over Will’s slap saga at the Oscars earlier this year. Recall that Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage for making jokes about his wife.
Apple acquired the rights to Emancipation more than two years ago. The package saw (then coveted) Will Smith in the lead role, with the film directed by Antoine Fuqua. Apple reportedly paid ~$120 million to secure the deal.
The film was in production throughout 2021 and was ready to be released in 2022; it was planned for the summer. However, the slapping incident seemingly put the release on hold as Apple weighed its options.
Emancipation was initially thought of as a potential awards recognition magnet, with an endearing storyline and charismatic performance from Smith. But post-slap, those ambitions have been significantly diminished.
Although many expected Apple to hold off on Emancipation’s release until the 2023 awards cycle, to give more space between the film’s release and the events of the Oscars, Apple has not done that. Instead, it has forged ahead with a (late) 2022 release. It will be interesting to see whether audiences flock to see Smith in his first on-screen role since the slap.
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| Image: 9 to 5 Mac |
In early reviews, the film has received mixed ratings from critics; some very positive, some not so much. Apple debuted Emancipation in a limited theatrical run last week so that the film could be theoretically eligible for awards nominations. It’s unclear if anything will materialize, although its best bet might be to pick up recognition in technical categories.
Today, December 9, the film streams worldwide on Apple TV+, and general audiences will be able to have their say on Will Smith’s performance and the movie as a whole.
See the official trailer below:
Source: 9to5mac.com
#Will Smith
#Emancipation
#Chris Rock
#Oscars
#Apple
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