Will Smith has had quite a career as an actor in the film industry, working in the Men in Black franchise, Suicide Squad, and Aladdin. The Golden Globe award winner, however, became a part of a controversy when he slapped Chris Rock in the 2022 annual Academy Awards ceremony when the latter made a joke to reference Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. The actor then resigned from the Academy and was banned from attending Academy functions, including the Oscars, for ten years.
Will Smith recently appeared in Emancipation where he played the role of Peter, a runaway slave. His film, however, received backlash from the fans after the producer Joey McFarland showed a photo of the enslaved man at the movie’s premiere.
Will Smith’s career is in trouble after the recent Emancipation controversy
Will Smith was a part of a big controversy in April 2022 when the actor slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife. While Smith was officially punished, his reputation did not see an upside after the incident.
To make matters worse, the producer of his recent project Emancipation showed a photo of an enslaved man at the movie’s premiere which led to a lot of enraged fans and even contemplation of canceling the movie.
Joey McFarland may not be thinking too straight when he revealed that he possessed the original photo of Whipped Peter with him, at that very moment.
“I have the photo, this is the original photograph from 1863. I wanted a piece of Peter to be here tonight,” McFarland said.
For obvious reasons, the netizens weren’t too impressed by the news and lashed out at the producer for his inappropriate decision to carry the image with him.
Will Smith played the role of Peter who escapes from slavery forcing him to rely “on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family” as he runs from slave hunters toward freedom.
Fans criticize the Emancipation producer when he brings a photo of an enslaved man at the premiere
The internet united against Joey McFarland when the producer brought a photo of an enslaved man at the movie’s premiere. There were tweets that expressed the fan’s dissent towards the event.
This is how you demonstrate Mr. #Emancipation producer that you don't have one Black friend. Not one.
— Blue Soul in a State of Down But Not Out (@myoaktown) December 1, 2022
Def won’t be watching this film. Will needs to read the room. Black slave trauma is NOT entertainment.
— Nydiasimone 🇵🇦 (@nydiasimone) December 1, 2022
Well whatever this movie/show is, I am not watching it. Yt love of Black pain is just outrageous. These items belong with the family or in Black run, owned and managed historical institutions.
— Lady Africa ❤️🔥 (@Veneziafirenze2) December 2, 2022
"carrying a piece" of a person!!!! WTAF. This is so sad and gross. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/omRopH5rMU
— MaryIsTaking1DayAtATime (@hartmcb) December 1, 2022
Agreed. And I can't help but feel that Will's primary intention with making this movie was to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars. Ultimately, this project feels more like it's about Will than the subject of the movie.
— Rochelle Krause (@Rochelle_Krause) December 1, 2022
… what a disrespectful memento to bring to a movie premiere.
— KKB (@coconutH2O) December 1, 2022
The backlash on Emancipation can affect Will Smith’s career even more negatively after the Oscars incident with Chris Rock.
Emancipation is now out in theaters and will be available for streaming from December 9, 2022.
Source: Twitter
