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Will Smith at this year's Oscars
Photo: Danny Moloshok / REUTERS
Hollywood star Will Smith says he can "completely understand" when people don't want to see his new film "Emancipation" after he was slapped at the Oscars.
"I would absolutely respect that and give them their space not to be ready yet," the 54-year-old told Fox 5 television. Smith said he still hopes to see viewers for the film.
"My heartfelt hope is that my actions will not punish my team."
Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars in late March after he made a joke about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett.
Smith laughed at first while his wife made a face.
Then he got up from his seat and went onto the stage.
After the slap, Smith had shouted at Rock from his seat, "Don't put my wife's name in your damn mouth anymore!" - twice saying the word "fucking," which was frowned upon on US television and transmission was drowned out with a beep.
"That wasn't the person I want to be"
Shortly thereafter, Smith received the Leading Actor Oscar for his role in the tennis drama King Richard.
It was Smith's first award of its kind, having previously been recognized for his performances in Ali and The Pursuit of Happiness.
each been nominated for an Oscar
.
The actor, who has since apologized to Rock in a Facebook video, also spoke to presenter Trevor Noah on Monday about that "horrific evening" and reiterated that he "was beside himself" during his crime.
"That wasn't the person I want to be," Smith said.
»Emancipation« is based on the true story of a badly abused slave who managed to escape to the northern United States.
The film by director Antoine Fuqua ("Equalizer") is scheduled to start in US cinemas on December 2nd and will be released a week later on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
bam/dpa