Emancipation (2022 film)

Film by Antoine FuquaTemplate:SHORTDESC:Film by Antoine Fuqua

* Todd Black
* Joey McFarland
* Jon Mone
* Will Smith
* Will Smith
* Ben Foster
* Charmaine Bingwa
* Overbrook Entertainment
* Westbrook Studios
* McFarland Entertainment
* Escape Artists
* Apple Original Films
* December 2, 2022 (2022-12-02) (United States)
* December 9, 2022 (2022-12-09) (Apple TV+)

***Emancipation*** is a 2022 American historical action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by William N. Collage. It is based on the true story of Gordon (named "Peter" in the film), a former slave, and the photographs of his bare back, heavily scourged from an overseer's whippings, that were published worldwide in 1863, giving the abolitionist movement proof of the cruelty of American slavery. The film stars Will Smith, Ben Foster, and Charmaine Bingwa.

*Emancipation* had its first screening in Washington, D.C. on October 1, 2022, and is scheduled to be released in select cinemas on December 2, 2022, before its streaming release on December 9, 2022, by Apple TV+.

## Premise

After being whipped nearly to death, an enslaved man named Peter escapes from a Louisiana plantation, outwitting cold-blooded hunters, as he makes his way North, where he joins the Union Army.

## Cast

* Will Smith as Peter
* Ben Foster as Fassel
* Charmaine Bingwa as Dodienne
* Steven Ogg as Sergeant Howard
* Mustafa Shakir as Andre Cailloux
* Timothy Hutton as Senator John Lyons
* Gilbert Owuor as Gordon
* Grant Harvey as Leeds
* Ronnie Gene Blevins as Harrington
* Jabbar Lewis as Tomas
* Michael Luwoye as John
* Aaron Moten as Knowls
* Imani Pullum as Betsy

## Production

On June 15, 2020, it was reported that Antoine Fuqua would direct Will Smith in *Emancipation,* based on a spec script written by William N. Collage. Producer Joey McFarland, who had started researching and developing the film in 2018, recruited Collage to write the script. On making the film, Fuqua said:

> "It's almost two years now from when I first read the script. It hit my heart and my soul in so many ways that are impossible to convey but I think you understand. We're watching some of the feeling that I had, in the streets right now. There's sadness, there's anger, there's love, faith and hope ... That's important to see, and the most hopeful thing that I'm seeing, that they're not going to stand for it anymore."
>
>

Warner Bros, MGM, Lionsgate, and Universal Pictures bid on the film before Apple ultimately won distribution rights for over $130 million. In August 2021, Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor, and Mustafa Shakir joined the cast. Smith earned $35 million for his part in the film.

Principal photography was expected to begin on May 3, 2021, in Los Angeles. It was later set to begin on June 21, 2021, in Georgia, but on April 12, it was announced that the film would be shot elsewhere due to the recently-enacted Election Integrity Act of 2021. Smith and Fuqua said in a joint statement: "We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access." The location move was reported to have cost approximately $15 million. Filming was announced to take place in New Orleans from July 12 to August 21, 2021. On August 2, filming paused for five days as a result of several positive COVID-19 tests. Additional casting for the film was announced in November and December.

In May 2022, the film's release was delayed to a possible 2023 date, with the given reasons being numerous production delays, the controversy over Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, and an overcrowded film release schedule from Apple. It was subsequently moved to its December 2022 date.

## Release

A screening of *Emancipation* was held at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 51st Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., on October 1, 2022, with Smith and Fuqua in attendance to give a subsequent Q&A discussion. It also screened in Los Angeles, on October 24, 2022. The film is set to premiere in theaters on December 2, 2022, followed by a December 9 release on Apple TV+.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 24, 2020). Huge Virtual Cannes Battle: Bids North Of $75 Million On Antoine Fuqua-Will Smith Runaway Slave Tale 'Emancipation'. *Deadline Hollywood*.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 15, 2020). Antoine Fuqua & Will Smith Runaway Slave Thriller 'Emancipation' To Be Introduced At Virtual Cannes Market; Based On Indelible 'Scourged Back' Photo. *Deadline Hollywood*.
3. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 24, 2020). Studios Bidding Big for Will Smith-Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation'. *Variety*.
4. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 26, 2020). Apple & Warner Bros Down To Wire On 'Emancipation' At Virtual Cannes; Bids In Record Setting $130 Million Gross Range. *Deadline Hollywood*.
5. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 1, 2020). Apple Wins 'Emancipation'; Will Smith's Westbrook Relationship With Toppers Zack Van Amburg & Jamie Erlicht At Sony Helped Seal Festival Record Pre-Buy. *Deadline Hollywood*.
6. ↑ Grobar, Matt (August 3, 2021). Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor & Mustafa Shakir Join Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation'. *Deadline Hollywood*.
7. ↑ Lang, Brent (July 20, 2022). Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for *Joker 2,* Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More.
8. ↑ Emancipation - Production Listing. *Productionlist.com* (March 15, 2021).
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Fleming, Mike Jr (April 12, 2021). Will Smith & Antoine Fuqua Confirm Georgia Exit Of 'Emancipation': "We Cannot In Good Conscience Provide Economic Support" After Recent Election Law – Update (en-US). *Deadline Hollywood*.
10. ↑ Wicker, Jewel (April 12, 2021). Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua film pulled from Georgia over voting bill. *The Guardian*.
11. ↑ Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Emancipation. *Variety Insight*.
12. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2021). 'Emancipation' Will Smith-Antoine Fuqua Apple Movie Pauses Production After Positive Covid Tests. *Deadline Hollywood*.
13. ↑ Grobar, Matt (November 11, 2021). Antoine Fuqua's 'Emancipation' Adds Steven Ogg, Grant Harvey, Ronnie Gene Blevins & More. *Deadline Hollywood*.
14. ↑ Grobar, Matt (December 2, 2021). Antoine Fuqua's Apple Thriller 'Emancipation' Adds Newcomer Imani Pullum. *Deadline Hollywood*.
15. ↑ Anderson, Jenna (May 6, 2022). Apple Delays New Will Smith Movie Due to Chris Rock Slapping Controversy.
16. ↑ Pina, Christy (October 1, 2022). Will Smith's Apple Thriller 'Emancipation' Gets First Screening.
17. ↑ Gardner, Chris (October 24, 2022). Will Smith Hosts "Epic" Screening of 'Emancipation' With Rihanna, Dave Chappelle and Tyler Perry as Guests.
18. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 3, 2022). Apple Sets December Theatrical Release Date For Will Smith's 'Emancipation'; Watch First Trailer & Read Q&A With Director Antoine Fuqua.

## External links

* *Emancipation* at IMDb

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