The fallout from Will Smith’s slap at Chris Rock at The Academy Awards due to this, his upcoming projects have been canceled or delayed. According to the outlet, a new nature series from National Geographic hosted by Will Smith has been postponed. Still, the article’s author Lucas Shaw took to Twitter to add that “Netflix has also abandoned plans to make a sequel to Bright.” In his tweet, he clarified that the cancellation of a Bright 2 was “unrelated to the incident,” something has also been said about other Smith projects in recent days.
The last update about a sequel to Bright came last summer when a report revealed the script was being fine-tuned and that Netflix expected Will Smith and Joel Edgerton to return. Even director David Ayer was attached to produce for a time but dropped out as development continued to stall. Bright 2 is just the latest filming starring Smith that has been nixed at Netflix, with the movie Fast and Loose also having been shelved by the streamer.
“s My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. 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,” Smith wrote in an apology after the incident, which earned him a ten-year ban from The Oscars. “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. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”
