https://variety.com/2022/film/news/will-smith-resigns-academy-oscars-slap-chris-rock-1235221041/

Smith, who was facing possible expulsion or suspension over Sunday's slap of Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, has instead chosen to resign (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/will-smith-resigns-from-academy-over-chris-rock-oscars-slap-backlash.4858605/). Variety reports that the Academy will continue its investigation and disciplinary process into Smith's slap, despite his resignation. "I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct," Smith said in a statement. "My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate."

I wonder what PR agency he hired to write that up for him? Perhaps his best "performance" yet.

In just one moment, Will Smith completely destroyed his entire career. Whether you liked him as an actor or not, he did have a very successful career. Now it's destroyed and Will has nobody to blame but himself. I now see him for the mental case and the hen-pecked loser that he really is. His wife has had affairs, the latest with some dumb rapper named August something. He's like 20 years younger than her too. Whipped Smith put up with Jada's affairs because he's really a punk. Instead of making fun of G.I. Jane, Chris Rock should have poked fun at Jada's boyfriends... she doesn't even hide the fact that she's unfaithful.

I just wanted to clarify that him resigning from the Academy means that he will still be eligible to be nominated for Academy Awards, just that he can no longer vote for the Academy.

Will Smith’s Contracts Get Pulled After Academy Awards Controversy

Netflix and Sony have stepped away from their projects with Will Smith a week after he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

Upcoming projects that Smith expected to complete have now officially halted as a result of the now-infamous Oscars slap, the CBC reports. The Netflix film “Fast and Loose” and Sony’s highly anticipated movie, “Bad Boys 4” have both been put on hold, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix Backs Away from Will Smith Film ‘Fast and Loose’ (Exclusive) https://t.co/IFoYjrXQcZ

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 2, 2022

The incident between Smith and Rock at the Oscars has halted projects that were well underway. This has had an immediate impact on Smith’s career: “I doubt any big studio or streamer is going to take a chance in signing Will Smith until [Smith’s brand recovers], until that process is under way,” media analyst Jeff Bock said, according to the CBC.

Smith’s Apple+ drama, titled “Emancipation,” is in post-production and was poised to debut this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sony’s “Bad Boys 4” has been in “active development” and 40 script pages had already been given to Smith, but it has all been “quietly shelved,” the outlet continued.

Netflix has backed away from developing ‘FAST & LOOSE’, starring Will Smith.

David Leitch dropped out before the #Oscars, so Netflix sent an urgent call to find a new director but have put the project on the back burner after the #Oscars

(Source: https://t.co/AoF3vyCX8t) pic.twitter.com/ljHAwCn14Y

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 2, 2022

Hollywood publicist Michael Levine sounded the alarm when he said Smith had “deeply damaged” his career as a result of his actions at the Oscars, according to CBC. Forbes Magazine box office analyst Scott Mendelson went on to state Smith had destroyed “a carefully crafted 30-year image of approachable, harmless and always-on movie star charisma,” the outlet continued.

Crisis publicist Howard Bragman echoed concern for Smith’s future, according to CBC. Smith’s career will now be defined as “‘pre-‘ this moment and ‘after’ this moment,” he said.

Smith recently announced his resignation from The Academy.