Will Smith Hit With Crushing Career Blow As His Movies Are Put On Hold Following Oscars Slap

It’s been just over a week since Will Smith shocked the world by slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony, and the Independence Day star is now starting to feel some repercussions for what he did. 

Backstory: Internet Erupts After Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock At The Oscars

Will Smith Movie Projects Put On Hold

Sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that at least three film projects that Will Smith was set to star in prior to the slap now have questionable futures.

One of these movies is the Netflix project Fast And Loose, which was going to tell the story of a crime boss who is physically attacked and subsequently loses his memory.

Before the Oscars, Netflix had been desperately trying to find a new director after the previous one dropped out of the project. In the wake of Smith’s incident, however, Netflix has quietly moved this movie to the back burner.

Another project that Smith was set to soon begin work on was Bad Boys 4, which the actor had been given 40 pages of the script prior to the Academy Awards. The source said that this movie has also been put on hold. 

Smith had a slave escape movie called Emancipation in post-production, and while Apple+ had planned to release it sometime this year, it now does not have a release date.

Related: Piers Morgan Is Over ‘Fake Morality’ Of ‘Hollywood Hypocrites’ After Oscars Incident

Will Smith Resigns From Academy

This comes after Smith resigned from the Academy in disgrace on Friday for the smack that was heard around the world. 

“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” Smith said in a statement. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.” 

“I betrayed the trust of the Academy,” he added. “I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”

Academy Responds To Resignation

The Academy responded by saying that while it will accept Smith’s resignation, the official review of his actions that could result in his Oscar being stripped from him will continue.

“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said Academy president David Rubin. “We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”

Prior to this incident, Will Smith was seen as one of the most beloved and marketable actors in all of Hollywood. It remains to be seen whether or not his career will bounce back from this.