In the wake of the Oscars slap heard around the world, one of the most obvious results was the seeming delay of Antoine Fuqua’s film “Emancipation” at Apple Studios.
Long before it was ever shown, the project was being touted as star Will Smith’s next big awards vehicle following last year’s “King Richard”.
The true story tale follows an escaped slave on the run from his captors and how a photograph taken of his scars led to a cultural shift in the United States.
After this year’s ceremony, the project seemed to be in a release limbo until recently, when it was moved back to an opening next month.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Fuqua discussed the tumultuous release of the film amid everything and defends Apple opting to release the film now:
“The film to me is bigger than that moment. Four hundred years of slavery is bigger than one moment. My hope is that people will see it that way and watch the movie and be swept away with the great performance by Will and all the real hard work that the whole crew did.
Of course, I wanted people to see the film…We were in Hollywood, and there’s been some really ugly things that have taken place, and we’ve seen a lot of people get awards that have done some really nasty things.
So I think Apple considered all those things, and we discussed a lot of those things. Then a decision was made by the people in charge of distribution and the money at Apple – and I’m grateful, I’m really grateful.”
Fuqua also says Smith was nothing but great, especially with the crew, during filming of what was a difficult shoot due to “a hurricane, the heat, COVID, a tornado, and twelve other things. It was just crazy, really.” In terms of the slap controversy, Fuqua says:
“So no excuses for anyone or anything, but I can say that he’s a good man and I hope that people can forgive him and that we can move forward. I hope Chris and Will find a way to sit together publicly, privately, whatever, and make amends. I think it would be an incredible statement.”
“Emancipation” arrives in select theaters on December 2nd before hitting Apple TV+ on December 9th.
