Will Smith’s planned biopic back in pipeline with streaming giant

Will Smith’s planned biopic is reportedly back in the pipeline. Insiders said Netflix, which halted talks over a film of the actor’s life in the wake of his Oscars slap scandal, are reportedly looking to reopen stalled negotiations.
A source told The Sun on Friday night: “Will was left out in the cold by Netflix and Apple+ in the wake of the slap.

“He has since apologised and stepped out of the spotlight for a lengthy period. With this in mind it is broadly agreed enough time has passed to let the dust settle.

“It has been made clear discussions can be started again about a biopic which Netflix were interested in.
Smith, 53, was earlier this month seen in public for the first time since he whacked comedian Chris Rock, 57, at this year’s Oscars for comparing his 50-year-old wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaven head to GI Jane’s buzzcut.

He stormed the stage to deliver the slap, before tearfully picking up the best actor award for his role in King Richard, about the father of tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams.

Smith lay low for weeks in the wake of the slap and was said to have travelled to India for a spiritual retreat.
He then issued an apology via video online last month and said he was “deeply remorseful”.

Smith grovelled: “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out. So I will say to you, Chris, ‘I apologise to you’. My behaviour was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you are ready to talk.

Source: IOL

In other news – Headache for Idols SA as viewers dump the show 

It seems that viewers have lost interest in talent search competition Idols SA. The talent show has been bleeding viewers since its return for season 18 on DStv’s Mzansi Magic on 17 July.

In the past, the viewership was more than a million, but it has now fallen below that number. Learn more