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Will Smith is reportedly planning his big screen comeback after his highly publicized Oscar controversy in March when he slapped Chris Rock on stage.
After being banned from attending the Oscars for ten years, the 53-year-old actor is reportedly taking matters into his own hands with a self-produced sequel to his 2007 film I Am Legend through his company Westbrook Media.
A source told The Sun: “The script is being written which will mention his character and Will remains committed to the project.
Rebound: Will Smith ‘planning his big screen comeback with self-produced sequel I Am Legend’… following his Chris Rock Oscars slap controversy (pictured)
“The concept has yet to be approved by Warner Brothers, but there’s no indication that Will is leaving the project.
“Obviously he’s the producer of the film and his production company is in charge as development continues. And Will himself is undergoing therapy and making time to stay out of the spotlight.”
The dystopian sequel would see the star of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air return to his role as Robert Neville, who works to heal a zombie apocalypse in New York.
The film, directed by Francis Lawrence, revolved around the story of the scientist and last human survivor of a plague.
Shocking: After being slapped with a ten-year ban from attending the Oscars, the 53-year-old actor is reportedly taking matters into his own hands with a self-produced sequel to his 2007 film I Am Legend through his company Westbrook Media Hand (pictured March 2022)
In the film, Will’s character attempts to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood.
Sources have claimed that Academy Award-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, who adapted Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel into the first film, will add Richard’s character to the script.
MailOnline has reached out to representatives from Will and Akiva and Westbrook Media for comment.
It comes after Jada Pinkett Smith spoke directly to husband Will, who first extensively beat comedian Chris at the Oscars, saying she hopes the two men have the “opportunity to heal” and follow up to “reconcile” the shocking incident.
Regrettable: Will attacked Chris, 57, after he made a joke about Jada’s balding, which is the result of her suffering from the autoimmune disease (pictured in March 2022)
Ahead of a Red Table Talk special on alopecia, which was released on Wednesday, Jada, 50, began referring to the controversy when Will attacked Chris, 57, after he made a joke about Jada’s balding being the result of her Suffering from the autoimmune disease is .
“This is a really important Red Table Talk on alopecia. Considering what I’ve been through with my own health and what happened at the Oscars,” the actress began.
“Thousands have come to me with their stories. I’m taking this moment to give our alopecia family the opportunity to talk about what it’s like to have this condition and to educate people about what alopecia actually is.
Addressing the infamous slap, Jada said: “Well, speaking of Oscar night, my deepest hope is that these two intelligent, capable men have an opportunity to heal, talk about it and reconcile.
She continued: “The state of the world today, we need them both. In fact, we all need each other more than ever. Until then, Will and I will continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past 28 years, which is keep figuring out what’s called life. Thank you for listening.’
After the incident, Will was seen partying all night with his family at the Vanity Fair Oscars Bash, dancing to his own song Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It as the crowd cheered him on.
However, a few days later he apologized in an official statement, saying his behavior was “unacceptable and inexcusable” and left him “embarrassed”.
“Violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive,” he wrote.
Hopeful: An insider said, “The script is being written which will reference his character and Will remains committed to the project” (pictured with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith in March 2022)
“My behavior at the Oscars last night was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s health was too much for me and I reacted emotionally.
“I want to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I’m embarrassed and my actions were no indication of the man I want to be. In a world of love and kindness there is no place for violence.’
Chris didn’t respond to Will’s apology, but has since referenced the slap several times during his stand-up performances.
Last month, Chris joked that he “gained most of my hearing back” after being slapped during a set at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
After a formal review of the incident in April, Will was banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years but was allowed to keep his best actor award, which he won for King Richard.
In a statement, the academy blasted his “unacceptable” and “harmful” behavior that “shadowed” the entire evening.
“During our broadcast, we didn’t adequately address the situation in the room. We’re sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we failed – unprepared for the unprecedented.
“The Board has determined that for a period of 10 years beginning April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not participate, in person or virtually, in any Academy event or program, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.
“We would like to express our deep gratitude to Mr Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their composure and grace throughout our television show.’
Speaking of which, it comes after Jada went straight to husband Will, who first thoroughly beat comedian Chris at the Oscars
