Apple TV+ has finally released the first look trailer of its new historic original movie “Emancipation” starring the talented and controversial Will Smith which will premiere on December 9, 2022, worldwide.
The future of the $120 million highly anticipated “Emancipation” was in the doldrums after the unfortunate incident at the 2022 Oscars where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke on his wife’s hair.
Consequently, Smith was banned for 10 years from attending all Academy-related events, including the Oscar telecast, and surrendered his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. His Q scores have also taken a drastic dip. And to avoid the headwinds of Smith’s actions, it was reported that Apple TV+ would delay its release by 2023.
Apple TV+ “Emancipation” is a powerful story of a determined man on the path to changing destiny
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, and a script by William N. Collage “Emancipation” is a story of an African American man, Peter, who is separated from his family and sold into slavery. But refusing to give up, Peter escapes his enslavers to join the Northern Army to get his life back.
“Emancipation” tells the triumphant story of Peter (Smith), a man who escapes from slavery, relying on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his quest for freedom. The film is inspired by the 1863 photos of “Whipped Peter,” taken during a Union Army medical examination, that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. One image, known as “The Scourged Back,” which shows Peter’s bare back mutilated by a whipping delivered by his enslavers, ultimately contributed to growing public opposition to slavery.
Smith plays the lead character and serves as the producer of the movie, along with Jon Mone through Westbrook Studios, Joey McFarland though McFarland Entertainment, and Todd Black through Escape Artists. It is executive produced by Fuqua, Heather Washington, James Lassiter, Glen Basner, Cliff Roberts, and Scott Greenberg.
Apple TV+ specifically mentions that the release date was announced following an advance screening of “Emancipation”. At the event, Fuqua, Smith, and Mary Elliott participated in a conversation about the film. May be to show that Smith’s public image has improved and that movie’s launch might be his saving grace.
Previously, New York Times reported that the test screening of the movie in Chicago was successful and Smith’s performance was applauded by the audience.
Apple set up a general audience test screening of “Emancipation” in Chicago earlier this year, according to three people with knowledge of the event who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to discuss it publicly.
They said it generated an overwhelmingly positive reaction, specifically for Mr. Smith’s performance, which one of the people called “volcanic.” Audience members, during the after-screening feedback, said they were not turned off by Mr. Smith’s recent public behavior.
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