Will Smith is unlikely to face a “decade out in the cold” of Hollywood, despite being banned from the Oscars for 10 years for slapping Awards host Chris Rock.
While Smith will likely struggle to appear in any significant films worthy of Oscar consideration, work opportunities in Tinseltown will not close to Smith.
Industry experts say that the talented star could be lured to the small screen for a comeback – and will have offers to appear in lesser budget action films.
Professionally the ban is a huge blow given Smith had spent the last decade reclaiming his status as a serious acting force culminating in an awards’ season clean sweep for his work in King Richard.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
One US marketing consultant says Smith’s immediate fate falls in the hands of Hollywood allies and cinemagoers.
Smith, who was allowed to keep his gong for Best Actor, released a statement after the Friday night ban saying “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
Smith’s career and earnings hang in the balance as film studios “pause for thought” over how to treat Smith moving forward.
Marketing consultant Jeff Kelly believes Smith’s career is not over and will “in time” be tabled acting role deals.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Kelly, a consultant at entertainment PR firm PRrppd (corr) said: “There is no denying that the slap was despicable and the ban is harsh but justified.
“Mr Smith has apologized and while quiet, there is still strong affection for him in sections of Hollywood.
“It appears too easy to write his career off, his fate is a little more complicated. “Certainly this business loves nothing more than a redemption story and comeback – we have seen this repeatedly over the years.
“Sure Mr Smith needs to take some time away from work, but there will be offers on the table from producers looking to work with him.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Smaller budget companies will want to bring him on board to make movies, most likely in the action genre, using his name and cache, which they believe audiences still value.
“The truth is his appeal status will be determined by moviegoers – and there is no real barometer on that currently.
“If he returns and the theatres are busy, then his career will continue.
“The Oscars centres on films, so TV networks hiring him in some capacity are not off the table.
“It may need some healing time, but Mr Smith does offer some streamers a major office attraction, even though he is embroiled in a scandal.
“With a strong PR image strategy, Smith could see himself welcomed back to Hollywood.”
Kelly admitted: “It is very difficult for many to see a future for Mr Smith following the furore. But Hollywood has always dealt with things differently.
“This will not be the end for Smith. He still has allies in the business, who while silent now, feel that one mistake should not mean an end to a lifetime of entertaining audiences.
“And certainly if he wanted to pick up work in smaller budget pieces, there will be options out there for him.”
Kelly added Smith’s earning power of upwards of $20m a film is diminished, but “determining any future wage offers is impossible.”
He added: “He will have to be patient and take his punishment, but it’s unlikely Mr Smith will want that slap to end his career as we know it.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
On Friday night the Academy blasted Smith’s “harmful, unacceptable” behaviour that “overshadowed” the evening.
It said: “We are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and Academy family around the world and we fell short.”
Smith, 53, slapped Rock on stage after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head.
The 50-year old has been open about her struggles with alopecia.
Smith then won the Oscar for Best Actor in his role as Richard Williams.
He later apologised to Rock, 57 who has said he is “processing” the incident but will not press criminal charges.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
