Will Smith is set to return in his first movie since the Oscars controversy, but he knows not everyone may want to see it.
In a new interview, the actor said he would “completely understand” if there was hesitation from moviegoers who may not be ready to watch Emancipation when it hits theaters this Friday.
Emancipation is Smith’s first major movie role since he slapped Chris Rock after the comedian told a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the 94th Academy Awards in March.
But Smith is less concerned about himself and fears that the rest of the film’s cast and crew could be hurt by his actions.
Smith apologized to Rock following the incident for which he was banned from returning to the Oscars for the next 10 years.
