Apple Drops $120 Million on Upcoming Action Thriller Film 'Emancipation' Starring Will Smith

[MacRumors]

Apple has acquired the rights to "Emancipation," an action thriller film about a slave on the run from the Confederacy in the midst of the Civil War, journeying north to join the Union Army (via Deadline). The film is set to star Will Smith and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who previously helmed "Training Day" and "The Equalizer."

Apple's purchase of "Emancipation" is described as the largest festival acquisition deal in film history. Several bidders were interested in the film when it was introduced at the Cannes Virtual Film Market, which was held late in June as a replacement to the physical Cannes Film Festival.

Apple allegedly paid north of $120 million for the film package, and "Emancipation" is set to premiere in theaters first and then around the world on Apple TV+. Production is expected to begin in early 2021.

Article Link: Apple Drops $120 Million on Upcoming Action Thriller Film 'Emancipation' Starring Will Smith

 

[cmaier]

When was the last will smith movie that wasn’t terrible?

 

[drinkingtea]

So much money. This money could have been given to a charity instead. I’m not liking movie/TV Apple.

 

[cmaier]

So much money. It bothers me to think that this money could have been given to a charity instead. I’m not liking movie/TV Apple.

Apple gives lots of money to charity. And the way they get that money is by making money. If they gave all their money to charity, they would have nothing more to give.

 

[JimmyBanks6]

Seems like a good investment, everything he has been in lately has been unbelievably good....

 

[cmaier]

Seems like a good investment, everything he has been in lately has been unbelievably good....

Don’t forget his genius re-imagining of Robin Williams’ beloved genie.

 

[alexandr]

When was the last will smith movie that wasn’t terrible?

i thought gemini wasn't half bad, no?

 

[yaxomoxay]

i thought gemini wasn't half bad, no?

It was bad.

 

[cmaier]

i thought gemini wasn't half bad, no?

It was exactly half bad. The younger half.

 

[EugW]

i thought gemini wasn't half bad, no?

Heh. I hadn't even heard of this movie. Then I looked it up: 26% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hope this Emancipation movie doesn't suck. So far, I've been quite disappointed with the content available on Apple TV+.

 

[Sam Squanch]

When was the last will smith movie that wasn’t terrible?

I hear you, it has been a long time since I actually liked Smith but I have hope that with good direction Smith is still capable of turning back the clock. I enjoyed The Equalizer movie, I thought it was well done that it gives me hope that this movie at the very least has some good foundations.

 

[nfl46]

No Jada / Will / August jokes? I’m disappointed, MacRumors! lol.

 

[triangletechie]

This would have been exciting news about 10 years ago.

 

[alexandr]

It was exactly half bad. The younger half.

i didn't have super high expectations for it, but i def didn't think it was one of the biggest disappointments of 2019, as some article called it.

 

[Alan Wynn]

When was the last will smith movie that wasn’t terrible?

You set the bar pretty low, counselor: “Not terrible.”

Last year: Aladdin. It is not amazing, but it is not terrible. A reasonable remake.
2017: Bright. Fun movie with some good action sequences.
2015: Concussion. Well done.
2013: Men in Black 3. Fun, with some really good scenes.

 

[alexandr]

It was bad.

matter of opinion, i suppose)

 

[2010mini]

Don’t forget his genius re-imagining of Robin Williams’ beloved genie.

let’s be real ANYONE taking on that role would not measure up. At least he didn’t try to do his interpretation of Robin Williams. That would’ve been even worse.

 

[cmaier]

i didn't have super high expectations for it, but i def didn't think it was one of the biggest disappointments of 2019, as some article called it.

I don’t think apple will be happy if articles are using the term “biggest disappointment” to refer to this movie.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I hate how everyone uses the word "drops" differently.

I know it was popularized by the music industry as in an artist "drops" a new album.

But to me the word "drops" means "removed"

 

[cmaier]

let’s be real ANYONE taking on that role would not measure up. At least he didn’t try to do his interpretation of Robin Williams. That would’ve been even worse.

I agree that almost nobody could measure up. So why would anyone try? Why take the role?

 

[2010mini]

I can’t tell if you are *trying* to be funny, or if you’re racist, or what.

But you do realize that will smith is not Denzel Washington, right?

I think he is talking about the director. As he mentioned with “good direction”

 

[cmaier]

I hate how everyone is using the word "drops" this way.

I know it was popularized by the music industry as in an artist "drops" a new album.

But to me the word "drops" means "removed"

This is not the same use Of the word as the record industry. This is the traditional meaning. “I dropped two large at the craps table.” (I removed it from my own wallet and no longer have it. I dropped it.)

 

[2010mini]

I agree that almost nobody could measure up. So why would anyone try? Why take the role?

it had to be done. Artists do take risks.

 

[alexandr]

I don’t think apple will be happy if articles are using the term “biggest disappointment” to refer to this movie.

well, why would they?)

 

[cmaier]

it had to be done. Artists do take risks.

He’s not a good enough actor to take that risk. He should have known better. Even nic cage would have known better.