Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ to Release This Year, Apple Drops Trailer

variety.com:

J. Kim Murphy In a surprise shift to this year’s awards season, Will Smith’s next film “Emancipation” will release in 2022 after all.

Apple announced the news Monday, releasing the first trailer for the Antoine Fuqua-directed historical drama. “Emancipation” premieres in theaters on Dec.

2 and will stream on Apple TV+ starting Dec. 9. Though “Emancipation” had originally been set for a 2022 release date, Apple elected to delay the film to 2023 after Smith became embroiled in controversy for slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards.

The embattled actor has since publicly apologized for his actions, sharing an emotional video released online in June, but has largely steered clear of the public eye since the Oscar ceremony.