• In an unexpected moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock. AFP
    In an unexpected moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, actor Will Smith slaps comedian Chris Rock. AFP
  • Smith confronts Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. AFP
    Smith confronts Rock onstage at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. AFP
  • Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith's hair to a GI Jane haircut, which prompted her husband to take to the stage to confront Rock in a seemingly unscripted moment. Reuters
    Rock likened Jada Pinkett Smith's hair to a GI Jane haircut, which prompted her husband to take to the stage to confront Rock in a seemingly unscripted moment. Reuters
  • Smith leaves the stage at the Oscars after slapping Rock for a remark he made about his wife Jada. She lost her hair because of alopecia. AP
    Smith leaves the stage at the Oscars after slapping Rock for a remark he made about his wife Jada. She lost her hair because of alopecia. AP
  • Smith and Jada arrive at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP
    Smith and Jada arrive at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP
  • Smith wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in King Richard, at the 2022 Oscars. AFP
    Smith wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in King Richard, at the 2022 Oscars. AFP
  • Smith, in tears, pays tribute to his wife Jada during his acceptance speech. AFP
    Smith, in tears, pays tribute to his wife Jada during his acceptance speech. AFP
  • Smith with wife Jada after he won the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. AFP
    Smith with wife Jada after he won the Oscar award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. AFP
  • Serena Williams at the Oscar Awards on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
    Serena Williams at the Oscar Awards on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
  • Serena and sister Venus Williams introduce a performance by Beyonce at the Oscars. AP
    Serena and sister Venus Williams introduce a performance by Beyonce at the Oscars. AP
  • US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP
    US tennis star Venus attends the 94th Oscars. AFP

Film

Will Smith projects currently on hold after the Oscars slap

Films such as 'Bad Boys 4', 'Fast and Loose' and a possible biopic have been delayed or dropped

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

April 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Will Smith made headlines around the world after slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars over a bad joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Although Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor later that night, there has still been plenty of fallout from the incident — including his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on April 1.

In addition, a number of projects the actor has been working on have also been put on hold. Here’s a look at some of those that are currently on the back-burner.

'Bad Boys 4'

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in 'Bad Boys for Life', 2020's highest-grossing film. Photo: Columbia Pictures
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in 'Bad Boys for Life', 2020's highest-grossing film. Photo: Columbia Pictures

The fourth instalment in the Bad Boys franchise will feature Smith and Martin Lawrence as best friends and police detectives. In January 2020, it was reported that the film was in development, with Sony hiring screenwriter Chris Bremner to pen the script. This month, The Hollywood Reporter said that Smith had received 40 pages of that script before the Oscars incident, however, the project has now been put on hold.

'Fast and Loose'

A week before the Oscars, director David Leitch dropped out of helming Netflix’s film Fast and Loose, which was to star Smith. The movie would have told the story of a crime boss who loses his memory after being attacked, only to learn that he has been living a double life. Netflix has reportedly put the project on the back-burner for now, possibly opting to scrap it or move forward with a different director and star.

'Emancipation'

Emancipation is in post-production with Apple TV+, and stars Smith as an escaped slave who joins the Union Army. It’s been hotly tipped to be a film that could garner major awards next season and is scheduled to come out sometime in 2022. However, Apple TV+ has yet to issue an announcement on the official release date, with some wondering if the film is being purposefully delayed.

Apple TV+ biopic

Netflix and Apple TV+ were both interested in acquiring the rights to a Will Smith biopic inspired by his bestselling memoir, Will. However, after the events of the Oscars ceremony, both companies reportedly “quietly removed” their bids to work on the project.

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Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)

Saturday

Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)

Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)

Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)

Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)

Sunday

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: May 09, 2023, 1:19 PM
FilmOscars 2026Hollywood