The Academy Launches ‘Formal Review’ After Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock at 2022 Oscars, Considers ‘Consequences’ for Best Actor Winner

usmagazine.com:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that a formal investigation will be conducted after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 94th annual Oscars.“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr.

Smith at last night’s show,” the Academy said in a statement via Variety on Monday, March 28. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”The organization, which has over 10,000 members from all branches of the film industry, implemented a new code of conduct in 2017 in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

The regulations state that there is no room for members who “who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates standards of decency.” The code also notes that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is “categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination.”The release differs from the Academy’s Sunday, March 27, statement, released shortly after Smith, 53, hit Rock, 57, and subsequently won an Oscar.“The Academy does not condone violence of any form,” the group tweeted after the show. “Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”Behind-the-scenes at the Dolby Theater was chaotic as producers tried to figure out how to handle the situation. “The higher ups from The Academy, once they realized the slap was real, were first focused on making sure Chris was OK,” a source exclusively tells Us Weekly, noting that presenter insisted he was “fine” after the open-handed smack to his face.“There were several people who thought