Will Smith is set to compete for a 2023 Oscar nomination after the announcement that his new film Emancipation will be released in December 2022.
The film will be Will's first since he controversially slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 awards ceremony and is subsequently banned from attending for ten years.
Now, the 54-year-old is set to be nominated but he will still be unable to attend the prestigious ceremony.
His latest movie after vowing to stay out of the public eye which has been directed by Antoine Fuqua had initially been slated to be released in 2022 but faced a delay after Will slapped Chris.
The movie which is said to have a budget of £105million ($120million) is based on the story of 'Whipped Peter' who was enslaved but managed to escape a Louisiana plantation before making his way to join the Union army.
Following his escape, photographs of 'Whipped Peter's' scars which were taken during a medical examination were later released to show the extent of slavery.
Speaking to Deadline, Fuqua said: "Will Smith is a great guy, I was with him for a couple of years, making this movie.
Image:
Apple TV)"He is a wonderful person, an amazing partner and he did an amazing job on this movie.
"Chris Rock's a good guy, I know Chris as well and I just pray it works out for them as friends, and we can move forward."
Will had previously explained that he was opposed to starring in a movie about slavery as he wanted to "depict Black excellence."
Speaking of the film, he said: "This was one that was about love and the power of Black love.
"And that was something that I could rock with. We were going to make a story about how Black love makes us invincible."
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)Despite potentially being nominated for an Oscar, he also resigned from the Academy for his wrongdoing and later apologised to Chris Rock for his actions.
Following the decision to ban him, a statement from the Academy said the decision was taken to protect performers as well as guests and would "restore" "trust in the Academy".
Will later said he "betrayed the trust of the Academy" before adding that he was "heartbroken" after slapping Chris, continuing to say that he would "fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct."
He's no longer allowed to vote for any future Oscar awards.
Emancipation will be released on Apple TV+ on December 9.
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