Netflix shelves Will Smith’s action film Fast and Loose after Oscars controversy

Netflix has reportedly put Will Smith’s film Fast and Loose away for another day following the recent Oscars controversy, where the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage. 

The Hollywood Reporter writes that right before the Oscars ceremony director David Leitch (Deadpool 2) withdrew himself from the project for Universal’s film Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling, which is said to begin production in August this year.

A source close to the development told THR that Netflix was competing with Universal to have Leitch on board. After Leitch’s exit, the streamer did put out a call to find another director, but after the incident surrounding Smith and Rock, it quietly shelved Fast and Loose.

The action film reportedly is about a crime boss who suffers from memory loss and later realises that he is leading a double life. 

Meanwhile, Smith has an Apple TV+ drama Emancipation in post-production, which is yet to have a release date. THR mentions that Apple declined to comment on the drama's status. 

The actor is also working on Bad Boys 4 at Sony but that film also might not move ahead as planned in light of the incident, which has led the Academy to initiate disciplinary action against him. 

Right after the slap that was broadcast live worldwide, Smith won the Best Actor award for his performance in King Richard. Yesterday, he resigned from the Academy after saying that his actions were "shocking, painful, and inexcusable."