Denzel Washington, seen to console Will Smith Moments after King Richard slapped the actor Chris Rock Wing Oscar Last weekend, speaking about Saturday Night’s controversy, asked: ‘Who are we to defame?’
The now-controversial actor faces production backlash over his stunts as Smith’s defense of Washington, his upcoming Netflix films Fast and Lost and Bad Boys 4, have both been put on hold, according to Hollywood Reporter,
Washington, 67, spoke about the incident at author and bishop TD Jake’s International Leadership Summit after a conversation centered on the Macbeth actor’s career and religious belief, when Jake told Washington that he was “in the midst of World War III”. in” was. I have stepped in.
During a business holiday at the 94th Academy Awards, Smith, 53, was seen chatting with Tyler Perry and Smith’s publicist when Smith slapped announcer Rock for making fun of him. Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald hairstyle, which she sports because of her struggle with alopecia.
A Hollywood insider reported that Smith has apologized over the incident and is planning to move to a luxury retreat to escape the week’s chaos and do some “soul-searching.” Sunday,
Denzel Washington talks about Will Smith’s attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars on Saturday. Moments after slapping the event announcer, Washington was seen comforting Smith during a commercial break
Washington (pictured left) said Smith and Tyler Perry (pictured right) prayed after Smith’s show-stopping loss. He told Bishop TD Jake that he knew ‘the only solution is prayer’
Washington’s discussion of the incident came a day after Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences amid imminent scrutiny of his actions during the ceremony.
Fast and Loose was originally supposed to be helmed by Deadpool 2 director David Leach, but he withdrew from the project just a week before the Oscars.
A source told THR that both Netflix and Universal were competing for a new project from Leach, but traditional studios backed them on the streaming platform.
Following the loss, Netflix immediately began looking for a new director to take over Smith’s project.
The source told THR that after Smith shocked audiences at home and in Hollywood when he slapped The Rock, Netflix put his film on hold.
Smith was also developing Bad Boys 4 for Sony, but a source told THR that that project too is on hold for the time being.
40 pages of screenplays had already been sent to the star as Sony looked to capitalize on the success of Bad Boys for Life, which grossed $204 million at the box office during 2020.
Smith still has the Apple TV+ film Emancipation to release later this year, which could offer a look at the actor’s popularity and its impact on projects after the Oscars.
While many wonder whether Smith’s career will sink or if viewers will turn their backs on him, Evan Nirman, CEO of crisis PR agency Red Bunion, claimed that Smith is here to stay.
‘Will Smith Is Too Big to Cancel Even After Attacking Live Television in Front of Millions,’ Reveals Nirman newsweek,
‘Already, she has been given special treatment because of her A-list celebrity status, including being allowed to appear on award shows despite her violent outbursts.’
Entertainment lawyer Domenic Romano said Smith needed to wait until the public’s memory fades and continue to express sympathy and regret to enjoy a fair return.
The NYC-based managing partner said, “A lot will depend on what action he takes to speak out against violence and whether he sends a clear and consistent message that his response against a bad-tasting joke is not acceptable.” . ” Fox NewsAdding, ‘If he goes out of his way to make amends, he should recover within the next 12 months, if not sooner.’
Smith (left) was also developing Bad Boys 4 for Sony, but a source told THR that that project too is on hold for the time being. Sony was eager to continue the popular franchise co-starring Martin Lawrence (right), which made $204 million at the box office in 2020.
Washington told Jake after the slapping incident, Perry and Smith prayed.
‘Luckily there were people there. Not just me, but others,’ Washington recalled.
‘Tyler Perry, come right there with me. [Said] some prayers. I don’t want to say what we talked about, but for the grace of God any one of us has to go.’
‘Who are we to condemn? I don’t fully know about the situation, but I do know that prayer is the only solution, the way I see it.’
Fellow Washington stars who criticized the incident, including Jim Carrey and Zoe Kravitz, faced backlash and were accused of hypocrisy as their own scandals were re-circulated by Twitter.
Washington said it was not an option to remain in his seat and not to console Smith: ‘I could not sit in my seat. I could never sit on my seat,’ he said. ‘I am not who I am.’
During his acceptance speech for Best Actor, Smith thanked Washington, saying that the big actor had told him ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.’
Washington, well, said it was not an option to stay in his seat and console Smith, center: ‘I can’t sit in my seat. I could never sit on my seat,’ he said. ‘I am not who I am’
During his acceptance speech for Best Actor, Smith thanked Washington and said that the big actor had told him ‘at your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you’.
Denzel told Jake on Saturday about the expression:
‘Well, there’s a saying: ‘When the devil ignores you, you know you’re doing something wrong.’ The devil goes ‘Oh no, leave him alone, he’s my favorite.’
Conversely, when Satan comes to you, it is probably because he is trying to do something right. And for whatever reason that night Satan took the situation into his own hands.’
Washington’s discussion of the incident came a day after Smith announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences amid an impending scrutiny of his works during the awards ceremony, saying he would slap The Rock. wanted to kill Any other result from the Board of the Academy will be accepted.
In the photo, Bishop TD Jakes joked that Washington had “stepped into the middle of World War III” by joining Smith at his International Leadership Summit.
In a statement posted to his Instagram on Monday, the Best Actor winner for “King Richard” said his actions were “shocking, painful and unforgivable.” The list of people I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone in attendance and the global audience at home.’
The Academy held an emergency board meeting of its governors on Wednesday to begin a formal review process of Smith’s conduct.
On Wednesday in his first stand-up show since the Oscars, the 57-year-old Rock spoke briefly about the incident in Boston, saying he was still ‘processing what happened.’
Chris Rock is pictured arriving before his sold-out show at the Wilbur Theater in Boston on Wednesday evening
Chris Rock stopped his fans from cursing Will Smith during his comedy show in Boston on Thursday night
The comedian told the audience at the Wilbur Theater, ‘I don’t have a s*** about what happened, so if you listen to it, I have a whole show that I wrote this weekend.’ Will Smith’ and the comedian about the incident.
‘I’m still processing what happened. So, at some point I’ll talk about that crap. And it will be serious and funny.’
The next night in Boston, The Rock stopped his fans from cursing Smith during their comedy show in Boston on Thursday night.
‘F**k Will Smith!’ One fan shouted, possibly in an effort to show support for The Rock.
“No, no, no, no, no…” replied the comedian, ending the verbal attacks, according to People.