“A pivotal moment for our profession”: Will Smith Defends Actors Strike Despite Oscars Slap Alienating Him from Actor’s Guild
Will Smith kept away from the spotlight last year following the notorious Oscars slap, but after recording an apology video for co-star Chris Rock, the actor has been fast making his way back into the spotlight, and Sony has confirmed the release date for the Bad Boys sequel.
The media has been paying close attention to the industry, especially after the actor’s guild SAG-AFTRA went on strike after discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers did not go as anticipated. Will Smith recently demonstrated his support for those fighting for their rights in the best way he knew how.
Will Smith calls the SAG-AFTRA strike a ‘pivotal moment’
Will Smith, who will be seen back on screen, soon took to his social media to take a stand and pay tribute to his acting mentor along with what acting means to him. Smith wrote,
“I wanna talk for a second about ACTING. As some of you all might have heard, my guild, @SAGAFTRA are on strike along with our writer colleagues in the WGA. It’s a pivotal moment for our profession. 33 years into my career as an actor and there are still some days when I feel like I’m that kid from Philly who’s on borrowed time, even though I know I’ve been extraordinarily blessed and lucky to have worked as an actor all this time.”
Smith further wrote, “It’s thanks to my friend, my teacher, and my mentor @aaronspeiser, whom I fondly refer to as ‘coach’ that those days when I feel like I don’t belong are fewer and further between.”
The actor continued that his coach had invited him to an acting class the other day and he met a group of talented actors who are supposed to be the next generation of talent and they not only amazed him but also inspired him. Will Smith noted that he is grateful to his coach for continuing to support the talented hopefuls in the art form that he has loved for almost three decades of his life.
Will Smith joins the list of actors showcasing their support for the SAG-AFTRA
King Richard actor, is the latest Hollywood actor to join the list of celebrities who have not only been vocal about their support for the SAG-AFTRA strike but also have signed the SAG-AFTRA’s letter to the union leadership urging them not to settle with AMPTP if the alliance refuses to meet their required needs.
The list of celebrities includes Meryl Streep, Rami Malek, Ben Stiller, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Quinta Brunson, Amy Schumer, and Amy Poehler. Actress Jennifer Garner along with Daniel Radcliffe, Mariska Hargitay, Jessica Chastain, and many more have joined the New York City picket lines.
Garner wrote, “I was so excited to earn my [SAG-AFTRA] card in 1995. I remember calling my parents and telling them I was going to receive health care — as an actor. Joining SAG instantly legitimized my improbable fantasy of working as an actor and turned it into an actual job.” She further wrote that she is one of the lucky ones and she is grateful for it every single day, adding that it will take everyone working together on both sides to evolve, to set future generations of artists for a sustainable career.
Sony announces release date for Will Smith starrer Bad Boys 4
The actor who was away from the spotlight last year, mostly due to the infamous Academy Awards fiasco with co-star and comedian Chris Rock, is now hoping to make a comeback in the good books of the people whom he had disappointed with his action.
Sony Pictures have announced the release date for Smith and Martin Lawrence starrer Bad Boys 4 i.e., June 14th, 2024. The duo first appeared in Bad Boys in 1995 where they portrayed the characters of Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett and went ahead to reprise their characters in 2003 for the sequel and then in 2020 for the third part.
Bad Boys III is known to be one of the movies to have a full run at the box office in 2020 before the wave pandemic hit the world and everything went to a complete halt across the world. The success of the franchise has pushed the makers for a fourth part too and it was announced earlier this year.
Vanessa Hudgens is also going to reprise her role as Kelly, Ioan Gruffudd will join the cast as Lockwood, along with Paola Núnez and Alexander Ludwig are also expected to reprise their roles. However, the plot of the upcoming movie is still kept under wraps.
Source: People
