After Oscars row, Netflix and Apple TV+ pull out from bidding war over Will Smith biopic rights

Netflix and Apple TV+ have reportedly withdrawn their bids for securing the film rights to Will Smith’s biopic. The move comes after Smith generated controversy at this year’s Academy Awards when the star slapped comedian and presenter Chris Rock on stage.

According to a report in The Sun, the streaming giants ‘quietly removed their bids’ for the biopic rights recently and instead would use the funds to develop original projects helmed by new black actors and creators. A source told the portal that Metflix and Apple TV+ considered engaging with Smith ‘risky business’ and would focus on ‘family friendly’ black actors like Mike Epps and Michael B Jordan.

The bidding war to secure the film rights to Smith’s memoir, Will, had been going on in full swing since last month. Smith had written the best selling autobiography along with The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck author Mark Manson. The book details several major experiences in Smith’s life, including his childhood trauma, relationships with family, troubles with addiction and more.

Smith’s upcoming film Fast and Loose has reportedly been shelved by Netflix due to the controversy, as per a report in The Hollywood Reporter. Production on Bad Boys 4 too has reportedly been stalled due to the incident.

Smith has been the centre of controversy since this year’s Oscars ceremony after he slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s appearance. Jada, who suffers from an autoimmune condition called alopecia which causes hair loss, had shaved her head due to the condition.

After the ceremony Smith, who won the Best Actor this year for his role in King Richard, had issued a public apology to Rock and the Academy. The actor also resigned from the latter. The Academy is still debating disciplinary action against the star.