Two weeks ago, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” opened at No. 1 at the box office, signaling that fans had seemingly forgiven Will Smith for his infamous slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards in 2022. However, the film’s inclusion of a slapping scene reminiscent of the Oscars incident has reignited tensions between the two stars, with Chris Rock expressing his discontent.
In Touch reports that Chris Rock is unhappy with the slapping scene in “Bad Boys 4,” viewing it as a tasteless attempt by Will Smith to address the incident humorously. According to a source, Rock finds the scene to be a “cheap stunt” and is unimpressed by Smith’s efforts to turn the lowest point of his career into a joke. “Chris thinks it’s a pretty cheap stunt and he’s telling people how lame he finds it,” the source revealed. “It’s a classic case of Will making light of a horrific situation. Will’s playing the victim. It was the lowest point of his career, but that’s no excuse.”
Will Smith has publicly claimed to be a changed man since the Oscars incident and has seemingly referenced the slap in his latest movie. The directors of “Bad Boys 4” have acknowledged the parallels between the film’s slapping scene and the real-life event, describing it as a “meta experience.” They explained, “I think, you know, if you watch the movie, you see that there are some parallels between what’s happening in the movie and real life. You know, there’s – it’s almost like a meta experience that Will, in the character of Mike Lowrey, goes through with some themes.”
Despite attempts to move forward, Rock remains frustrated by the continued attention the incident receives. He has maintained a low profile since the Oscars but finds Smith’s attempt to turn the event into a comedic moment aggravating. “It aggravates him that people keep bringing it up,” the source stated. “He suffered as much as Will has and now Will has turned it into a funny scene in his movie. As far as Chris is concerned, it’s more proof that Will’s a total piece of work who deserves all the crap he’s gotten.”
Rock is reportedly not inclined to let the matter rest and might seek retribution in the future. “Chris isn’t going to let it go. If there’s a way to get back at Will down the line, he’ll take it,” the source added.
The controversy surrounding the slapping scene in “Bad Boys 4” highlights the ongoing tension between Will Smith and Chris Rock. While Smith’s fans appear to have moved on, the incident remains a sore point for Rock. As the film continues to perform well at the box office, it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact the relationship between the two stars and their respective careers.
In the end, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” not only brings action and entertainment to the big screen but also serves as a reminder of the real-life drama that continues to unfold between two of Hollywood’s most prominent figures.