Days After Oscars Slapgate, Will Smith’s Film ‘Fast And Loose’ Put On Hold

Picture courtesy Twitter

New York: Days after the infamous Oscars slapgate episode, Netflix stalled its upcoming film ‘Fast and Loose’, starring Will Smith.

Smith lost his cool and slapped Chris Rock on stage when the comedian and presenter cracked a joke on the baldness of the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith during the Oscars presentation night.

According to a report in Variety, director David Leitch had pulled out of the project weeks before the Oscars ceremony. Now, the OTT streaming giant has decided to put Smith’s film on the backburner.

Whether Netflix’s decision is linked to what happened at the 94th Academy awards function is anybody’s guess.

There has been no statement from Netflix on whether they will resume work on Fast and Loose’s development or if they plan to replace Smith with another actor.

Smith, who won the Best Male Actor in a leading role for his performance in King Richard, issued a public apology to Rock.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally… I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed 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,” Smith wrote in a note that he posted on Instagram.

The 53-year-old actor also resigned from Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.