Will Smith‘s impulse to punch Chris Rock during the Oscars seems to be having far more consequences than we imagined. In the midst of divided opinions, damaged sensitivities, and the resignation of the actor himself as a member of the Academy, Netflix has also positioned itself against the violent act, one of the most notorious scandals in Hollywood.
It has become known through information released by The Hollywood Reporter that the streaming platform canceled Smith’s next film, which is called Fast and Loose and tells the story of a crime boss who loses his memory, and finds himself living with a dual identity, as a wealthy kingpin and a run-down CIA agent.
“It appears that Netflix was understandably wary of moving forward. It’s unclear if it will try to do the project with another star and director,” a source told the site.
A week before the Oscars, the film’s then-director, David Leitch, left the project for another, and Netflix was looking for another director until finally decided to put the film aside.
“They quietly put him off their priority list,” the Post reported.
After the slap that Smith gave Rock at the Oscars, the Academy condemned the violent event. A source told CNN that the institution “seriously considered” expelling Smith from the ceremony shortly after the incident, although they finally allowed him to remain in the theater and receive his “Best Actor” award.
The King Richard star publicly apologized to both Rock and the Academy. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am ashamed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness,” he wrote on Instagram.Now the actor resigned by his own decision to the Academy after having damaged many with his attitude. “I am resigning as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any other consequences the Board deems appropriate,” he said in a statement.