Will Smith bares his sculpted frame while flaunting the ‘WILD’ makeup for latest movie Emancipation
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Will Smith shared a new shirtless photo on Instagram earlier Friday to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the “WILD” makeup from his upcoming film, Emancipation.
The Academy Award-winning star, 54, plays the lead, a slave named Peter in Louisiana, following him as he tries to reunite with his family in the midst of the Civil War.
The historical action movie will be the first project to be released starring the actor since he beat notorious comedian and host Chris Rock at the Oscars earlier in March.
Behind the scenes: Will Smith, 54, uploaded a shirtless photo of himself to Instagram earlier Friday, showing him gearing up for his upcoming film, Emancipation
The King Richard actor was seen with freshly applied makeup on his torso and arm with cuts and scars for a scene in the period drama.
In the post’s caption, Will gave a special shout out to his makeup artist, Judy Murdock. “Judy has done my makeup on almost all of my movies and let me tell you, she went WILD on #emancipation.”
When talking about stepping into the shoes of his character, Peter, who is based on the real-life escaped slave known as Whipped Peter, Will admitted that Vanity purse that the process was ‘grueling’.
New movie: Emancipation will be the first movie to be released starring the actor since his infamous Oscar smash earlier in March
He further added that becoming the character was challenging, “physically, emotionally and mentally in every way. Not just for me, but for everyone working on the film. We had therapists and spiritual teachers on set. We had a pastor.’
The premise of the film, which hits theaters December 2 and later on December 9 on Apple TV+, is set at the height of the Civil War.
The story also follows Will Smith’s character, “a runaway slave,” who “forges through the swamps of Louisiana on an arduous journey to escape plantation owners who nearly killed him,” according to the story. IMDB.
Will’s infamous March Oscars slap, which banned him from attending the awards show for 10 years, didn’t get in the way of the film’s release date.
Director Antoine Fuqua told Vanity Fair what he wanted viewers to take away from watching the movie. “I hope people are moved, emotionally moved. I hope they see the love story and feel the love story we really wanted to tell.”
Upcoming: Apple TV+ dropped a full-length official trailer on Wednesday and it was all in black and white
Based on a true story: Will’s character, Peter, who is based on the real-life escaped slave known as Whipped Peter
Journey to Freedom: The premise follows “a runaway slave,” who “forges through the swamps of Louisiana on an arduous journey to escape plantation owners who nearly killed him”
Coming Soon: The film will hit theaters on December 2 and later on December 9 on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ dropped a full-length official trailer on Wednesday and it was all in black and white.
The preview begins with Smith’s character being separated from his loved ones, before attempting to flee to meet the Union Army during the Civil War.
While forced to go through a swamp to secure his freedom, Smith is warned that there are “many ways to die in a swamp.”
‘I fight them. They beat me. They whip me. They break the bones in my body more often, I can count, but they never break me.’ says Smith.
The rest of the trailer shows small snippets of his treacherous journey back to his family.
The past: Will’s infamous March Oscars smack, which banned him from attending the awards show for 10 years, didn’t get in the way of the film’s release date
The film would also qualify for awards season, and while Smith will not be allowed to attend any Academy events for the next 10 years, he is eligible to be nominated.
Earlier last month in October, Will held a small screening for Emancipation with some close friends, including Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, and comedian Dave Chapelle.
The actor shared a group photo with his friends who had seen the movie, and an additional shot of the stars in a small theater.
Special Screening: The actor held a small screening for Emancipation in October with some close friends, including Rihanna, Tyler Perry, and comedian Dave Chapelle.