Two years after the infamous slap at the Oscars, it appears that public sentiment has shifted, and Will Smith is experiencing a significant career resurgence. Following the incident where Smith slapped Chris Rock for a joke made about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, many in Hollywood and the media questioned if his career could recover. However, the recent box office success of his latest film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, indicates that audiences are ready to welcome him back.
The slap incident at the Academy Awards led to significant repercussions for Smith. He was swiftly labeled a Hollywood pariah and faced a 10-year ban from attending Oscars events. His movie Emancipation, intended to be his grand return after the controversy, unfortunately underperformed. Beverly Hills psychiatrist Carole Lieberman described it to Newsweek as a “flop,” further fueling doubts about his career trajectory. Despite addressing the incident and issuing a public apology, Smith maintained a relatively low profile in his career until recently.
However, the narrative seems to be changing with the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The film, which reunites Smith with Martin Lawrence for the fourth installment of the popular Bad Boys franchise, has achieved a phenomenal opening weekend. It grossed $104.6 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo, becoming the 13th highest-grossing movie of 2024 in a matter of days. Social media was flooded with images of packed theaters, and videos surfaced of Smith surprising audiences at sold-out screenings, demonstrating strong fan enthusiasm.
Industry figures and fans alike are vocalizing their support for Will Smith’s comeback. Oscar-winning director Mathew A. Cherry declared on X (formerly Twitter), “To be clear we never stopped rocking with Will Smith,” echoing the sentiment of many who believe the public has moved past the Oscars incident. Online discussions suggest that many moviegoers, particularly within the Black community, were not as offended by the slap as some media outlets portrayed. One X user, @nice_two, stated, “Will Smith’s career was never gonna be over or even halted behind that slap, cuz actual black people never f***** with Chris Rock like that to care enough.” Another user, iAmTerrence, jokingly added, “Will Smith can smack Chris Rock 10 more times if I keep getting Bad Boys movies,” highlighting the audience’s desire for his entertainment despite past controversies. @thehorrorgoth further commented on X, “despite the media and fellow celebrities trying to blackball Will Smith over the Chris Rock slap at the Oscar, Will Smith is one of the last true movie stars that will get people to go to the cinema.”
This box office success marks a significant turning point for Will Smith. While Emancipation struggled to gain traction, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has proven to be the comeback vehicle many anticipated. Looking ahead, Smith has several high-profile projects in the pipeline, including a remake of the classic film Planes, Trains & Automobiles alongside Kevin Hart, and a sequel to his hit movie I Am Robot. These upcoming projects, combined with the current success of Bad Boys, paint a picture of a career far from over.
In conclusion, while the Oscars slap undoubtedly cast a shadow over Will Smith’s career, the overwhelming success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die strongly suggests that his career is not only still active but is experiencing a powerful resurgence. Public forgiveness, coupled with his enduring star power, indicates that Will Smith remains a significant force in Hollywood. The box office numbers speak for themselves: audiences are ready for more Will Smith movies.
