Will Smith’s ‘Emancipation’ role taught him lesson post-slap
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — While filming “Emancipation,” Will Smith routinely drew inspiration from the words “sacred motivation” that were written on the front page of a script. But the Oscar winner heavily leaned on the phrase even more in recent months, as he tried to overcome the backlash to his Oscars slap and banishment from the ceremony. “Emancipation,” which opened in theaters last week will be available to stream Friday on Apple TV+. Smith portrays Peter, a man who attempts to escape slavery while he uses his wits to dodge slave hunters and brave the alligator-infested swamps of Louisiana in his quest for freedom.
