Photo: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
<p>Ahead of his upcoming film dropping, Will Smith is sharing his thoughts on how backlash from his &#8220;slapgate&#8221; incident with Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards may carry over.</p>
<p>Specifically, Will is speaking on his upcoming role in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wafyhTpWpUs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Emancipation</em></a>, in which he&#8217;ll portray an enslaved man named Peter. The film is set to premiere in theaters this Friday, and Apple TV+ will begin streaming it on Dec. 9.</p>
<p><amp-youtube data-videoid="wafyhTpWpUs" layout="responsive" width="1000" height="563" dock="#dock-slot"></amp-youtube></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Smith Lost Sleep Over How He &#8220;Potentially Penalized&#8221; His Costars</h3>
<p>While speaking to <a href="https://ew.com/movies/will-smith-oscars-slap-impact-emancipation-interview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Entertainment Weekly</em></a>, Will Smith revealed that he has &#8220;discomfort in [his] heart&#8221; when he thinks of how his past actions may have a negative impact on the film&#8217;s success.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;The only discomfort my heart has around that is that so many people have done spectacular work on this film. My hope is that my team isn&#8217;t penalized at all for my actions&#8230;Everyone has done such spectacular work.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>He continued, sharing that—while he&#8217;s concerned about the matter—he&#8217;s going to ensure that &#8220;everyone gets seen in the light that they deserve.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I definitely lose a couple winks of sleep every night thinking that I could have potentially penalized my team, but I&#8217;m going to do everything I can to make sure that everyone gets seen in the light that they deserve.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Will Understands People&#8217;s Opposition And Reservations</h3>
<p>Despite his worries, though, Smith gets why people may not want to see him on the silver screen just yet.</p>
<p>During a sit-down with Kevin McCarthy of <a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/will-smith-discusses-oscars-slap-with-fox-5-ahead-of-new-film-emancipation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FOX 5 DC</a>, he addressed a question regarding what he has to say to those who are wary about supporting the film, as Will stars in a leading role.</p>
<p>The actor started off by saying he understands and respects that some may &#8220;not be ready&#8221; to enjoy the film.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I completely understand that. If someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Will also echoed similar sentiments to his <em>EW </em>interview, as he said that his &#8220;deepest concern is for [his] team.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;My deepest concern is for my team&#8230;The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>He then acknowledged that he hopes the subject matter within <em>Emancipation </em>will lead people to put their feelings for him aside in favor of checking it out.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m hoping that the good that can be done would open people&#8217;s hearts, at a minimum, to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><amp-instagram data-shortcode="ClffnkkPOF0" layout="responsive" width="600" height="600" data-captioned></amp-instagram></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">He&#8217;s Apologized To Chris Rock On Numerous Occasions</h3>
<p>As the subject directly relates to Will&#8217;s slapgate controversy, we should note that he&#8217;s expressed remorse multiple times.</p>
<p>The <em>King Richard </em>star spoke out shortly after the incident occurred, calling his behavior &#8220;unacceptable and inexcusable.&#8221;</p>
<p><amp-instagram data-shortcode="CbqmaY1p7Pz" layout="responsive" width="600" height="600" data-captioned></amp-instagram></p>
<p>He further spoke on the incident back in July through a YouTube video.</p>
<p><amp-youtube data-videoid="jXrxDKwlA_s" layout="responsive" width="1000" height="563" dock="#dock-slot"></amp-youtube></p>
<p>Chris seemed indifferent to Will&#8217;s upload, though, as he dubbed it a &#8220;<a href="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/chris-rock-calls-will-smiths-apology-video-a-hostage-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hostage video</a>&#8221; during a comedy show in September.</p>
<p>What do you think about Will Smith&#8217;s comments? Additionally, are you planning on watching <em>Emancipation</em> once it comes out?</p>
 <div class="wpra-reactions-wrap wpra-plugin-container" style="justify-content: center;;"> <div class="wpra-reactions-container" data-ver="1.3.10" data-post_id="102866" data-show_count="true" data-enable_share="onclick" data-behavior="regular" data-animation="true" data-share_url="https://dev.theshaderoom.com/will-smith-reflects-on-how-oscars-controversy-may-impact-emancipation-turnout/" data-secure="b58d235200"> <div class="wpra-call-to-action" style="color: #000000;font-size: 25px;font-weight: 600;">What Do You Think Roomies?</div> <div class="wpra-reactions wpra-static-emojis size-medium" style="border-color: #ffffff;border-width: 0px;border-radius: 50px;border-style: solid;background: #ffffff;">					<div class="emoji-8 wpra-reaction wpra-pad-fix" data-count="" data-emoji_id="8"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-10 wpra-reaction wpra-pad-fix" data-count="" data-emoji_id="10"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-4 wpra-reaction" data-count="" data-emoji_id="4"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-5 wpra-reaction" data-count="" data-emoji_id="5"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-2 wpra-reaction" data-count="" data-emoji_id="2"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-7 wpra-reaction" data-count="" data-emoji_id="7"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div><div class="emoji-12 wpra-reaction" data-count="" data-emoji_id="12"> <div class="wpra-plus-one">+1</div>	 <div style="background-color: #ff0015" class="wpra-arrow-badge arrow-bottom-left hide-count"> <span style="border-top-color: #ff0015" class="tail"></span> <span style="color: #ffffff" class="count-num">0</span> </div>	</div> </div> <div class="wpra-share-wrap wpra-share-buttons-bordered" style="">				 </div> <!-- end of share buttons -->			 </div> <!-- end of reactions container --> </div> <!-- end of reactions wrap -->		
