Will Smith has revealed what Rihanna thinks of his new movie Emancipation – his first film since he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The Academy Award winner, 54, shared the 34-year-old mogul’s private reaction earlier this week while walking the red carpet for the premiere of his graphic slave drama.
Smith is attempting to move past the lasting scandal of his televised assault, but the mediocre reviews for Emancipation are not helping his efforts.
Praying for a comeback: Will Smith, 54, has revealed what Rihanna thinks of his new movie Emancipation – his first film since he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars
‘Rihanna loved the cinematography,’ Smith claimed to E! News. ‘She could not get over the look of the film and how it felt.’
The multiplatinum hitmaker attended a star-studded screening of Emancipation back in October, rallying around the embattled King Richard star in his private movie theatre.
Rihanna’s boyfriend A$AP Rocky was also in attendance, along with Dave Chappelle, Tyler Perry and Kenya Barris.
‘The thing that’s great with Black people,’ Smith joked to E! News, ‘is they talk to the screen the whole time, so you don’t have to ask people’s opinion. So, I didn’t have to ask anybody’s opinion from the room.’
At least Riri likes it: The Academy Award winner shared the 34-year-old mogul’s private reaction earlier this week while walking the red carpet for the premiere of his graphic slave drama. ‘Rihanna loved the cinematography,’ Smith claimed to E! News. ‘She could not get over the look of the film and how it felt’
King Richard’s court: Rihanna attended a star-studded screening of Emancipation back in October, rallying around the embattled King Richard star in his private movie theatre
Star-studded support system: Rihanna’s boyfriend A$AP Rocky (far left) was also in attendance, along with Dave Chappelle (center, brown shirt) Tyler Perry (back center, blue flannel) and Kenya Barris (far right, green jacket)
In late October, Smith posted images of his intimate A-list screening on Instagram.
‘EPIC night!!’ he captioned the pair of photos. ‘Thanx for coming to see #Emancipation. Hope ya’ll enjoyed!!’
Critics appear to be split down the middle when it comes to enjoying Emancipation.
The film currently holds a lackluster 50 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with various reviews describing it as ‘shallow’ and nothing but a ‘B movie.’
‘As shallow as a a Louisiana bayou,’ condemns The A.V. Club.
‘B movie with delusions of grandeur,’ laments IndieWire.
B movie: Emancipation tells the story of a slave named Peter who escapes from a brutal plantation in Louisiana and sets out on a hellish quest for freedom. The graphic historical drama currently holds a lackluster 50 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as ‘shallow’ and nothing but a ‘B movie’
Helmed by Antoine Fuqua – the director of Training Day and Olympus Has Fallen – Emancipation tells the story of a slave named Peter who escapes from a brutal plantation in Louisiana and sets out on a hellish quest for freedom.
Based on a true story, the historical epic sees Smith inhabit the role of Peter, who will eventually help to prove the cruelty of American slavery by providing the abolitionist movement with horrifying pictures of his lacerated back.
One famous face who certainly did not attend Smith’s Emancipation screening back in October was Chris Rock.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star has seen his storied career and pristine public image crumble ever since he charged the Oscars stage in March and assaulted the comedian for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The shocking incident resulted in Smith’s resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a ban from attending its ceremonies for the next 10 years.
KO’d his career? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star has seen his storied career and pristine public image crumble ever since he charged the Oscars stage in March and assaulted the comedian for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith
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