Will Smith’s projects with Netflix and Sony halted following Oscars slap

• Posted on April 6, 2022April 6, 2022
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Streaming service and production company, Netflix and Sony have decided to put on hold their forthcoming projects with Will Smith after the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

According to sources, Netflix had planned to star Smith in an upcoming movie, ‘Fast and Loose’ but sources close to the company revealed that the streaming giant has made it clear that it not going ahead with the project anymore.

The Hollywood Reporter pointed out that ‘Fast and Loose’ had already lost its director, David Leitch, a week prior to the incident at the Oscars. This is because, David had moved to direct ‘Fall Guy,’ which stars Ryan Gosling.

Although Netflix acted swiftly “to put out an urgent” call for a director to steer ‘Fast and Loose,’ the company “quietly” shelved the project after Smith’s behaviour at the Oscars.

Sony also halted the production of ‘Bad Boys 4,’ which Smith was to star in.

Netflix and Sony have since not responded to halting the productions which feature Will Smith.

The aftermath of the incident at the Oscars saw Smith issue a public apology to Chris Rock and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy had condemned the actions of Smith and had indicated that it was considering the expulsion of the actor from the Academy in a board meeting later this month.