The filmography of Will Smith is filled with projects of all shapes and sizes. From alien invasions (“Independence Day”) to superheroes (“Hancock”) to post-apocalyptic horror (“I Am Legend”) to full-on comedy (“After Earth”…I kid, I kid), Smith has done just about every genre of film. Well, except for a film about slavery. That is until now, as he’s in the middle of production on the new Antoine Fuqua-directed feature, “Emancipation.” And according to the actor, there’s a very good reason why he’s avoided slavery films until now.
Speaking to GQ, Smith talked about his reasons for not wanting to star in slavery films, though he’s been offered quite a few over his career. And he explained why, years later, he’s decided to star in “Emancipation,” which is the upcoming drama about the escape of a slave named Peter, as he ventured on a harrowing journey to the North to find freedom.
“I’ve always avoided making films about slavery,” Smith explained. “In the early part of my career… I didn’t want to show Black people in that light. I wanted to be a superhero. So I wanted to depict Black excellence alongside my white counterparts. I wanted to play roles that you would give to Tom Cruise. And the first time I considered it was ‘Django.’ But I didn’t want to make a slavery film about vengeance.”
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So what is different about “Emancipation,” which is arguably way more about slavery than Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained?” (Which he has talked about in the past…) Well, for Smith, the film might be set around those times, but the theme is much bigger than its plot trappings.
“[‘Emancipation’] was one that was about love and the power of Black love,” Smith said. “And that was something that I could rock with. We were going to make a story about how Black love makes us invincible.”
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As mentioned, “Emancipation” is in production now with Fuqua directing the film. The feature is expected to debut sometime in 2022 with a release through Apple Studios (and eventually Apple TV+). Obviously, with Fuqua and Smith on board, the film is expected to be one of the awards contenders next year.
