Will Smith knows audiences might not be ready to see him onscreen after the 2022 Oscars slap. Following Smith attacking presenter Chris Rock and his subsequent barring from attending the Academy Awards for the next decade, the Best Actor winner addressed his latest role in slavery biopic “Emancipation.” The Antoine Fuqua-directed film premieres in theaters December 2, followed by an Apple TV+ release December 9. “I completely understand — if someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” Smith told journalist Kevin McCarthy while promoting the film.