The actor could still lose a string of major roles despite resigning and apologising for attacking Chris Rock – and may yet face legal action
, in which Smith plays a runaway slave, may prove crucial. An expected awards contender, it was due to come out later this year.
Smith’s resignation came with an abject apology. “The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” he said on Friday night. “I betrayed the trust of the academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.
“It’s reminiscent of companies with poor management and poor leadership where there is workplace violence or sexual harassment,” said employment lawyer Peter Glennon. “Nothing was done, and not only was he allowed to stay, not removed, but he was given an award.” In Packer’s view, Rock’s “tone was not retaliatory. His tone was not angry. So I was advocating what Rock wanted at that time, which was not to physically remove Will Smith at that time, because, as it has now been explained to me, that was the only option at that point.
Though Rock told the police he would not press charges, the comedian could still sue the academy, as well as Smith, the show-runners and the security in control of the event.
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