Following the Oscars debacle, it was rare to spot Will Smith anywhere publicly. For the most part, he’s kept his head low over the past year as he attempted to repair his image. Of course, the Oscars slap remains a hot topic, especially after Chris Rock’s Netflix special. Will didn’t respond to Chris directly. But, he’s trying to move beyond that incident and regain his footing in Hollywood. Most recently, he announced a string of movies that are in development.
Will seems to be returning to the fold, though. This weekend, fans spotted Will Smith in the crowd at Coachella in support of his children, Jaden and Willow. l hit the ‘Gram to share his view of the set; surprisingly, he wasn’t hiding or trying to be discrete. Smith was in the middle of the crowd, enjoying the show like other ticketholders at the Mojave Tent. Willow was actually billed for the show but Jaden later showed out on stage with a shirt reading, “Willow’s Brother.”
Will clearly couldn’t miss the moment of seeing his kids perform live at one of the biggest music festivals in the world. However, it looks like he also required taking a break from the set. A few days prior to their performance, Will and Martin Lawrence were spotted on the set forBad Boys 4 which they announced earlier this year. Though there isn’t a release date yet, Will and Martin are shooting the next installment of the action-comedy franchise in Atlanta.
In addition to Bad Boys 4, Will Smith also signed up for an upcoming film titled Fast & Loose. The movie was initially put on hold following the 2022 Oscars but they resumed filming. Sources say that both films are an attempt for Will Smith to reestablish his commercial status in the film industry, especially after the success of movies such as King Richard and Emancipation. We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates surrounding Will Smith’s upcoming movies. Check out footage from his appearance at Coachella above. Are you looking forward to seeing Will Smith star in more movies? Let us know in the comments.
Will Smith – renowned actor, 90s music star, slapper. For over a year now, the only thing that people have talked about in regard to Smith is the 2022 Oscars incident. After one too many jokes about his wife Jada, Smith stormed the stage at the 2022 Oscars, slapping host Chris Rock. The moment immediately went viral, with Smith gaining both supporters and detractors. One of his biggest detractors was the Academy itself, who banned the actor from attending for the next decade. The slap heard around the world has since come to define Smith.
However, Smith has not completely retreated from Hollywood. Aside from the release of 2022’s Emancipation, he is back to working on yet another action blockbuster. Recent photos place him on set in Atlanta, in the heart of Georgia’s filmmaking scene. But the shoot isn’t for an emotional drama or historical piece. Instead, Smith is returning to one of his best-known characters for his latest role. And no, it’s the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Smith Spotted on “Bad Boys 4” Set
Will Smith couldn’t look happier to be back in the swing of things … smiling during his latest gig since the infamous slap at the Oscars. https://t.co/TfOqZQJuAM
According to a report by TMZ, Smith was spotted in good spirits in Atlanta. While seen smiling, it’s hard to say if that was during a filming moment or not. Specifically, he was there as part of filming for Bad Boys 4. Smith will be reprising the role of Detective Mike Lowery. The production of Bad Boys 4, which was initially halted due to the Oscars incident, has been known for some time now. In February 2023, Questlove revealed Smith had had to drop out of a surprise appearance at the Grammys due to his filming commitments.
Little is known about Bad Boys 4. The last time Detectives Lowery and Burnett (Martin Lawrence) were seen was in 2020’s Bad Boys For Life. That installment of the long-running franchise holds a 76% critics rating and 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Bad Boys For Life screenwriter Chris Bremmer will reportedly pen the fourth film also. It’s good to see Smith, who has expressed remorse about the Oscars incident, getting back into the swing of filming. More details about Bad Boys 4 are likely to emerge later in 2023.
On this date in 1987, Philly’s most celebrated Hip Hop duo released their first album.
Famed rapper and actor Will Smith, also known as “The Fresh Prince” and his hilarious on-and-off-screen partner Jeff Townes aka DJ Jazzy Jeff, dropped their first project on the Jive/RCA imprint.
As two of the pioneers of Philly Hip Hop, Dj Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were the first artists from the “City of Brotherly Love” to perform at the coveted Union Square, which prompted the live title track. They were there during a time when if you were wack, not only did you get booed, but the Brooklyn kids would end up leaving the Square with something you came there with. “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was a storytelling anthem that was only rivaled by the likes of the great Slick Rick. This ten-track LP was just the tip of the iceberg of what this dynamic duo had in store for them in their future.
Salute to Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith and Ready Rock C for this classic piece of Hip Hop history!
According to Tony Rock, Chris Rock’s brother, Will Smith’s public statement that he intends to repair his relationship with Chris is all fake.
Shortly following the “slap that was heard all around the world” after last year’s Oscars, Will reportedly “reached out to Chris and the response that Will received was that he’s not ready to talk. In a video that Will released, his exact words were, “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that, he’s not ready to talk. When he is, he will reach out. I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you,” said Smith.
“My behavior was unacceptable, and I am here whenever you are ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I saw an interview [she] did, and that was one of the things I just didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking, but how many people got hurt in that moment.”
Tony alleges that this is completely untrue, and his brother was indeed ready to talk. Tony went on to say that both he and his brother considered Will to be family and that his actions were extremely disappointing.
During Tony’s interview as a guest on Big Boy’s Neighborhood, he stated, if Smith genuinely wanted to make amends, he knows how to reach him. “My phone number has never changed. So, I just thought I’d get a phone call one day like, ‘Ay, let’s just you and I just talk.’ It hasn’t happened, so I guess it’s not going to happen.” O
n Twitter, Tony expressed the following, “My thoughts? All the crumbs and losers on social media repeatedly said it had nothing to do with me and I should be quiet or stay out of it,” he wrote, “Others said I (who’s been making lots of money since 1999) was commenting in an attempt to gain notoriety.”
Weeks following “the slap,” Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was ultimately banned from attending Academy events for a decade.
Oscar and Grammy Award-winner Will Smith is one of the highest-paid actors of all time and deserving of it, too. Grossing more than $9.3 billion globally for his iconic roles in television and film, the decorated actor Is credited as a “bankable star.” This means Smith is guaranteed to bring box-office success by merely appearing in the film. Born in Philadelphia, Smith began his career as a rapper, creating music with his best friend, DJ Jazzy Jeff. After releasing multiple chart-toppers between 1984 to 1994, Smith ultimately ventured into his solo career. The duo didn’t split, as DJ Jazzy Jeff appeared in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show featured Smith’s most iconic role as a fictional embodiment of himself.
Smith premiered his acting career in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 as a teenager adjusting to his extended family. He raked in $2.8 million within his first three years on the show but didn’t see much of it due to owing money in back taxes. Smith’s skills would eventually make him one of the wealthiest actors, with a reported net worth of $350 million.
From Drama to Comedy and Action, Will Smith’s Many Acting Roles
LOS ANGELES – 1996 actor Will Smith poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Staring in multiple films in the ‘90s, like Independence Day (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), and Wild Wild West (1999), Smith was able to use his experience acting to mold a multifaceted career. Smith has taken on comedy, action, drama, and just about every film genre. He has even voiced for multiple animated roles like Shark Tale (2004)and Spies in Disguise (2019). He’s also long exhibited his ability to transform into a relatable role model for anyone of any age. In 2019, he even landed a part as the Genie on Disney’s live version of Aladdin. Taking on multiple roles at a time in varying genres, Smith epitomizes the hustle of a true actor with a genuine devotion to their work.
His passion for action is evident, as many of his iconic roles fit within the genre. Starring as a detective in theBad Boys franchise alongside Martin Lawrence, Smith shows fans his recognizable comedic banter. However, movies like I Am Legend portray him as a survivor with the power to do anything he sets his mind to. Other notable performances by Smith are his roles in Ali, Hitch, Gemini Man, I, Robot,Concussion, and Seven Pounds. In the latter, his character seeks out people to share vital parts of himself, displaying Smith’s highly favored ability to evoke emotion in any given film.
Men in Black (Trilogy)
Based on the Marvel comic book, this plot surrounds a conspiracy theory that an elite undercover group of men has had their identities wiped to investigate extraterrestrial life on Earth. Men in Black is also loaded with science fiction theories and people with powers unheard of. Smith’s character, Agent J Darrell Edwards III, investigates the criminal activity of extraterrestrials. The films’ plots center around the MIB (men in black) who uncover evil plans to take over the world. In Men in Black III, Agent J (Smith) seeks more information about his partner, Agent Kevin Brown, played by Tommy Lee Jones. Additionally, all three films have grossed over $1 billion at the box office, while Men in Black III earned $654.2 million. This makes Smith one of the only four actors in the world to earn $100 million from a role in a film.
Emancipation (2022)
Whipped within an inch of his life, an enslaved man named Peter flees by foot from a Louisiana plantation. This thrilling drama is arguably one of Smith’s most moving roles yet. He ravishes his way through horrifying treachery to return home to his family. Based on the true story of “Whipped Peter,” Smith also had to take control of himself in this role to embody the history of the message. Justifying his part with complete dedication to the role, Smith gave all of himself in this Oscar-worthy performance.
King Richard (2021)
Winning an Oscar for his standout performance as the father of tennis’ most elite, Serena and Venus Williams, Richard Williams motivated his two daughters toward their professional careers. This is also an extraordinarily inspirational role played by Smith. He depicts the father’s love and support with patience, power, and perfection. It was Richard’s idea to have his two daughters begin the sport, and Smith takes on the role of molding two champions impeccably with his experience of being a father himself. In real life, Smith also shows his kids Jaden, Willow, and Trey equal love, just as Richard did with Serena and Venus.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
This film was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe. Smith transcended his role, giving an emotionally raw performance of Chris Gardner in this true story. Smith delivered the role with all he had, which also permeates on screen. Displaying depth and intensity, Smith’s character is a homeless single father who struggles to find work. He and his young son face the adverse streets of San Francisco with hunger and a yearning to survive. Jaden Smith also appears in this film as his father’s on-screen son.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Based on the popular DC comic, this superhero film is jam-packed with an epic cast. Smith’s character, Deadshot, is an expert marksman and assassin who hunts but vows never to kill a woman or child. Though his job is to kill off the evil prey of the world, he is just as focused on his relationship with his daughter. When he’s approached by Batman, he has to decide to either work or protect. Deadshot’s ability to maintain and balance his stern and affectionate demeanor under the control of the government as an obedient criminal makes for an entertaining film.
Collateral Beauty (2016)
In this moving drama, Smith embodies an NYC advertising executive, Howard Inlet, who tragically loses his daughter. He stops working and communicating with his friends but turns his pain into a plan to restore his life. To heal, he writes individual letters to Love, Time, and Death. Then, he starts to experience synchronicities that end up as lessons. He learns that what you go through affects everyone, so it’s best to have a grateful heart to receive life’s blessings despite an inevitable death.
Upcoming Work from Will Smith
What’s to come from Smith in the nextcoupleofyearsshould be highly anticipated. His ability to take on multiple roles simultaneously makes him more focused than ever. I Am Legend 2: Last Man on Earth will star Smith alongside Michael B. Jordan in its 2024 November premiere. At the same time, Bad Boys IIII is due to be released by 2025.
If there is one thing Tony Rock will do, it’s defend his brother, Chris Rock. The pair not only share DNA but are both accomplished actors in the industry. They consistently tour and can be found performing standup from coast to coast, and each has decades of success. So, it came as no surprise that when Will Smith slapped Chris on the Academy Awards stage last year, Tony would be his champion defender.
The Rock brothers have separately worked with Smith. Tony starred in the 2000s series All of Us, executive produced by Will and his wife Jada. He knows the couple well and spoke about his brother’s plight with the Smiths while visiting Big Boy’s Neighborhood. There, Tony refuted rumors that Smith reached out to Chris to make amends. “That wasn’t true, that wasn’t true,” he said on the radio show. “I think like, two nights later, he said, ‘I reached out to Chris, and he didn’t want to talk.’ That wasn’t true.”
Tony Rock Still Isn’t Happy With His Former Friend
Smith has delivered several public apologies to Chris Rock, but the acknowledgment doesn’t seem to be enough. “He doesn’t owe me anything, I just thought we were better than that,” said Tony. “My phone number has never changed. So, I just thought I’d get a phone call one day like, ‘Ay, let’s just you and I just talk.’ It hasn’t happened, so I guess it’s not going to happen.”
This is a much more subtle reaction than Tony Rock’s previous responses. In prior interviews, he unleashed on the Smiths, especially Jada. Because the Oscars moment seemed to stem from Chris’s joke about her bald head, Tony followed suit. Much like Chris’s scathing takes in Selective Outrage, Tony has also referred to Jada as a “b*tch” and faulted her for the infamous moment. Additionally, last July, Tony suggested Smith became frustrated because Jada continued to emasculate him with mentions of her friendship with Tupac Shakur. Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Kevin Hart also addressed the rift between Chris and Will. He hopes that the controversy dies down and the pair reunite. Watch more from Tony Rock above.
Nearly one full year later, the Oscars have still not forgiven Will Smith for his stunt on stage. There is no better way to break the tension than by cracking a few jokes. To no one’s surprise, the controversy surrounding Will Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock continues to linger. It appears that the team at the Oscars has no intention of letting Will get away without at least a little bit of shade. But how far do they go with the jokes?
Many found the jokes at Will’s expense to be funny and light-hearted. But those who tuned into the ceremony are surprised to learn that the Oscars had a lot more jokes up their sleeves. Molly McNearny, an executive producer for the Oscars, revealed more insight. Originally, Jimmy Kimmel and his team were ready to really rag on Will. The original hosting was to be full of jabs that some might even deem as inappropriate for the show. However, they chose to pull back on the jokes at the last minute for a few reasons.
The Oscars Gracefully Poke Fun At Last Year’s Debacle
According to McNearny, they did not want to utilize drama to garner more views. “We didn’t want to make this year all about last year,” she stated in a Variety interview. Constantly bringing up last year’s news can get repetitive, so cutting the excess jokes was a wise decision. Along with trying to stay up to date, the removal of certain jokes also came down to respect. Chris Rock was ultimately the one that got assaulted on stage, not the audience. A few jokes here and there are harmless. But hyper-focusing on the incident can come off as disrespectful to both Chris and Will Smith.
“There were certainly some that went harder,” McNearny continues. “But we didn’t think that was our place to do that. That should be Chris Rock, not us.” However, Jimmy Kimmel and the Oscars team were not above poking some fun at how people reacted at the time. In one of his jokes, Jimmy teases the audience for doing absolutely nothing after Chris Rock got punched in the face. All jokes aside, the ceremony remained respectful and in good taste. But more importantly, it remained free of any violent altercations. Check back in to catch any updates about how Will and Chris react toward the 2023 show.
Chris rock’s unfortunate moment at last year’s Oscars has earned more attention, and D.L. Hughley is defending his friend. Will Smith has been the target of critics since he stormed the Academy Awards stage and slapped Rock. It occurred following Rock’s quip about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, and it caused the actress to become a punching bag of trolls and comedians. The Smiths have addressed the controversy, and Will repeatedly apologized, but it wasn’t enough. Rock again went after the Smiths in his latest Netflix comedy special, Selective Outrage. However, his approach gained mixed reactions.
Journalist Candace McDuffie, a writer for The Root, said that Rock made a career from telling jokes at the expense of Black women. Many have argued that this was seen in Selective Outrage, and McDuffie added that Rock deserved the slap from Smith. Comedian D. L. Hughley knows both Rock and Smith, and he’s been a fierce defender of the Never Scared icon. TMZ caught up with Hughley and wanted his thoughts on the controversy.
“It’s kinda crazy to me that if you thought the slap was justified and you think that the comedy was too far, I think that’s ironic,” said Hughley. “I think that it’s ironic that you think that one response to a joke was violence, and that’s justified, but response to violence with a joke, that isn’t. That seems to be the tone of the special.”
“I d think it’s ironic that everybody got a chance to respond about that slap, except the man that got slapped,” Hughley further stated. “And when he responds, it causes this sort of upheaval. I don’t think we should ever have the right to tell somebody how or when or what’s appropriate for their response.” Additionally, Hughley rejected the notion that Rock made sweeping, insulting remarks about Black women as a whole. Hughley also made it a point not to say Jada’s name specifically.
Not All Black Women, Just Jada…And Meghan Markle
“He talked about one Black woman, there are millions of them. So, I don’t know how a conversation—and honestly, the reason we know about the Black woman that he referenced in the special is because they make it their business to let us know what’s going on.” He also mentioned Meghan Markle, who was also targeted by Rock in his special. Hughley argued that she, too, speaks openly about her personal life.
However, detractors have clapped back at Hughley’s take. Rock has been called out for decades for his remarks about Black women, but his repeated attention to Jada has sparked rumors to fly. Last week, a report stated Rock once attempted to romance Pinkett, but she rejected him. Meanwhile, Rock’s supporters, like Hughley, have come to his defense from one outlet to the next. Check out D.L. Hughley above.
Jimmy Kimmel joked about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at last year’s Oscars ceremony while hosting this year’s 95th Academy Awards on Sunday night. Smith was not present in the audience as the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banned him from all Academy events for the next 10 years. Kimmel also poked fun at Tom Cruise and James Cameron for not being present at the event, Steven Spielberg for allegedly never smoking weed, and many more nominees as well as attendees.
“We want you to have fun, feel safe and, most importantly, we want me feel safe,” Kimmel told the audience. “So, we have strict policies in pace. If anyone in this theater commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech. But seriously, the academy has a crisis team in place. If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the show, sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”
Jimmy Kimmel At The Oscars
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Later in the night, Kimmel warned that anyone who wanted to “get jiggy with it” would have to go through the Oscars’ new crisis team. The remark was a reference to Smith’s 1997 single, “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.” Kimmel also said that the show would go off without a “Hitch,” referencing Smith’s 2005 romantic comedy. Lastly, after noting the high number of Irish actors nominated for awards, he joked that the “odds of another fight on stage just went way up.”
The host’s jabs come less than a month after Chris Rock finally addressed the infamous incident in his Netflix special, Selective Outrage. “Everybody fuckin’ knows. Yes, it happened, like a year ago, I got smacked at the fucking Oscars by this motherfucker. People are like, ‘Did it hurt? It still hurts! I’ve got ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears,” he said. Rock also joked about Smith’s wife, Jada, and her “entanglement” with August Alsina.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Jokes On Will Smith
Here’s the portion of Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue where he referenced Will Smith’s slap from last year’s show! #Oscarspic.twitter.com/2ksrwAnRJa
Will Smith is working hard to get his career back on track. Ever since the public incident at the 2022 Oscars awards show, people have been hesitant to work with him. At last year’s ceremony, Smith approached the stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face in front of the entire audience. The violent act was in response to Chris Rock making an offensive joke about Smith’s wife. Immediately following the exchange, Smith was promptly criticized and blacklisted by many.
As a result of all of the chaos, the rest of 2022 was a quiet one for Smith’s career. One year later, he is hopeful that his upcoming projects will allow him to turn over a new leaf. The actor, who chose to remain nearly radio silent last year, has two new movies in the works. He will star in both Bad Boys 4 and Fast and Loose. Originally, Fast and Loose was scheduled to begin production at the start of 2022. After the slap, the project took a break to let the tension around Smith settle down.
Will Smith’s Earnings For “Bad Boys 4” And “Fast And Loose”
Both of Will Smith’s upcoming films will be action movies, a genre the actor specializes in. Timing is everything, and Smith is making a wise choice by announcing his future projects so close to the anniversary of the Oscars. The legend will also be receiving $50 million total for both movies, at $25 million per film. Smith is not the only person speaking up about the Oscars incident. Chris Rock recently made a jab at the man who assaulted him during his recent Netflix comedy special. It is safe to assume Rock is not too excited to see Smith come back to the big screen.
Fans of Smith, however, are eager to see what lies in store for the previously outcasted actor. Many people are still in support of the man who was offended on his wife’s behalf. Regardless of the giant stain on the actor’s professional career, it is likely he will continue to be successful with his new work. Tune back in after the 2023 Oscars ceremony to see any new drama that may occur.
