In a preview clip for his upcoming interview with Good Morning America, Oscar-winning producer Will Packer claims police told Rock they would remove Smith from the audience and arrest him for battery.
“We’re going to get him, we’re ready to get him now,” police told Rock, Packer recalled. “You can make accusations. We can arrest him. ”
Packer claimed Rock was dismissive of police, but encouraged the comedian to listen to them before making a decision.
“They were making choices and as they talked, Chris was very scornful of those choices. He said, “No, I’m fine.” It was like, “No, no, no,” said the producer.
Rock eventually declined to comment, but police said in a statement Sunday that “if the party wants a police report at a later date, the LAPD will be available to complete an investigation.”
However, Smith – who was awarded his first Oscar after the attack on stage – will face “disciplinary proceedings” with Oscar officials that could lead to suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.
“In accordance with the Academy’s Code of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith receives at least 15 days’ notice to vote on his violations and penalties, and the opportunity to be heard in advance through a written response. “, The Academy said in a statement on Wednesday.
A source close to the actor confirmed to The Sun that Smith and his lawyers are writing to the Academy to support his case before his upcoming hearing on April 18.
“Things are hanging in the balance. “He will write an official letter to apologize and essentially beg for forgiveness,” the source said. “He is also expected to have a call with the show hosts in the next 24 hours. However, April 18 is the Day of the West – he will find out if he has another Oscar, and most likely, a career “.
Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars on Sunday night, but did not do so at the request of the comedian, claims Oscar producer Will Packer.
Will Smith is fighting to save his career after slapping Chris Rock (pictured) during the Oscars on Sunday night. The actor reportedly wrote to the Academy to support his case before his upcoming hearing on April 18
Packer’s interview, which will air Friday at 7 p.m. on ABC, comes as insiders claim that Rock, 57, was never asked if Smith should leave the ceremony after the attack.
“No one ever asked Chris if Will had to leave. They never consulted him. “It was Oscar producer Will Packer who made the final decision to let Will stay,” said one New York Post expert.
Witnesses claim that Packer approached the actor and said: “We do not want you to leave.”
Other experts have reiterated that the producer was “the key” to allowing Smith to remain for the rest of the show.
“Packer came out to the band and talked to Smith,” two witnesses confirmed to Variety. “Packer said he and the production ‘officially’ wanted Smith to stay for the rest of the series, according to one witness.
Despite the allegations, Packer told the GMA that he did not speak directly with Smith at the Oscars.
Reports also initially claimed that Oscar President David Rubin and CEO Down Hudson had asked Independence Day actor to leave the ceremony following the outburst.
However, sources who reportedly attended discussions between the Academy leaders claim that there was never any attempt to remove Smith from the ceremony.
Officials were reportedly divided over whether or not to remove the star, and although there was much heated debate during the commercial breaks, no consensus was ever reached, TMZ reported.
Chris Rock spoke briefly about the Oscar slap this weekend during a performance at the Wilbur Theater in Boston on Wednesday before moving on to his regular set.
The news of a possible disciplinary action against Smith comes as the secrets of Rock were revealed (photographed in Boston on Wednesday) he was never asked if the actor had to leave the ceremony after the attack.
Smith met with Oscar leaders on Tuesday to discuss the consequences of the attack, Variety reported. People familiar with the meeting claim that Rubin and Hudson talked to Smith in the Zoom for about 30 minutes.
A source claimed that Smith apologized to the Academy leaders for his actions and said he knew there would be consequences. The fresh Bel-Air prince also tried to justify why he broke Rock’s joke with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, the insider claimed.
However, those attending Wednesday’s special meeting of the Academy’s board told the magazine that they did not recall Rubin or Hudson mentioning the alleged discussion with Smith.
Following an emergency meeting of the board, the Academy announced that Smith had violated the group code of conduct and faced “suspension, expulsion or other sanctions”.
Disciplinary action could include a possible one-year ban from the Oscars, which would have prevented Smith from submitting for awards.
“They really feel they have to see them to act,” said one of the academy’s experts, according to the Sun. “It’s no surprise that Will is seeking legal advice – he may need all the help he can get to avoid sanctions.”
Sources familiar with the situation also claim that the fate of his upcoming projects, including the Apple-funded Emancipation slave escape drama, remains in question.
“Production executives and studio executives do not want to see them choose a side too early,” said the initiate, noting that Smith is expected to return for a fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise, although no start date has been set yet.
In fact, sources claim that the Academy never asked the actor to leave the facility, despite the fact that many leaders felt they should. Insiders claim that the decision to let Smith stay was eventually made by producer Will Packer (behind-the-scenes photo during Sunday’s Oscars) who allegedly approached the actor and said, “We do not want you to leave.”
A source close to Packer (behind-the-scenes photo with Venus Williams) denied that he encouraged Smith to remain in the audience
The announcement of the Academy in detail
The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for breaches of the Academy’s Code of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening conduct, and jeopardizing the integrity of the Academy. According to the Academy’s Code of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is given at least 15 days’ notice to vote on his violations and sanctions and the opportunity to be heard in advance through a written response. At the next meeting of the Board on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion or other sanctions permitted by the Articles of Association and the Code of Conduct. Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a profoundly shocking, traumatic event to watch in person and on television. Mr. Rock, we apologize for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience at that time. We also apologize to our candidates, guests and spectators for what happened during a festive event. Things turned out in a way we could not have predicted. While we would like to make it clear that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also acknowledge that we could have handled the situation differently. The 53-year-old actor took to the stage at the Oscars on Sunday and hit Rock after the comedian told a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rock’s wisecrack targeted Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, a style he has embraced since being diagnosed with alopecia. “Janta, I love you. “‘GI Jane 2, I look forward to seeing it,’” Rock told Pinkett Smith, whose shaved head resembled that of Demi Moore in the 1997 film Best Documentary Award. Whether Rock knew Pinkett Smith was suffering from a hair loss condition is unknown, but Smith responded with a smile and an angry warning “keep my wife’s name out of your mouth!” Shortly afterwards, Smith was announced the winner of the Best Actor award and went up to pick up his statuette with standing ovations from many of his peers. In his opening remarks, Smith apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – whose members vote on the awards and host the ceremony – but did not apologize to Rock. Smith initially laughed at the attack, writing on Instagram on Sunday night: “You can not invite people from Philly or Baltimore anywhere!” However, as the seriousness of the situation became clear, Smith posted a public apology on Instagram 24 hours after the ceremony, saying he wanted to formally apologize to Rock. He said his behavior was “unacceptable and unjustified” and left him “ashamed”. “I would like to apologize publicly to you, Chris,” he wrote. “I was out of line and I was wrong. I am ashamed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. “There is no room for violence in a world of love and kindness.” Pinkett Smith’s first public comment came in an Instagram post on Tuesday in which she said: “This is a time for healing and I’m here for it.” Chris Rock appears shocked during the Oscars on Sunday, after Smith came on stage and slapped him for making a remark about Janda Pinkett Smith’s haircut. As evidenced by her indifferent expression, Pinkett Smith did not appreciate the joke On Wednesday, the Academy announced that it had initiated “disciplinary proceedings” against Smith and claimed that it had ignored their request to leave his headquarters. They also apologized to Rock. Two sources told TMZ that Rubin and Hudson were “furious” …
