Will Smith Academy Hearing Moved Up As His Films Stall

In the ongoing saga that is The Slap, Will Smith‘s disciplinary hearing before the Academy Board of Governors has been moved up ten days from its original date. On Friday, April 8, the Board will discuss consequences regarding Smith smacking comedian Chris Rock during the nationally broadcast telecast of the 2022 Academy Awards. Per Variety, the decision to move the hearing up came days after Smith announced his plans to resign from the Academy.

In a letter obtained by Variety, the Board of Governors state, “Following Mr. Smith’s resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies. It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.” The initial meeting was scheduled on the 18th, because the Board was legally required to give Smith a 15-day notice of the hearing and a written notice no fewer than five days beforehand. Now that Smith has resigned, the Board can convene at its own pleasure.

The decision comes after a week and a half of rolling consequences for Smith, including a reported delay in production for two films to which the actor is currently attached. On the other side of the equation, Rock has remained relatively mum about the altercation, alluding to it in his first comedy appearance last week without getting into the details. Rock also appeared on Tuesday at New York’s Comedy Cellar for a surprise performance, per Page Six. According to reports from the room, Rock joked, “Lower your expectations. I’m not going to address that shit,” presumably in regard to the confrontation on the Oscars stage.

Now that Smith has removed himself from the Academy, it’s unclear what, if any, consequences the actor will face for his actions from the organization. While rumors have circulated that Smith could have his Best Actor Oscar for King Richard revoked, it would be an unprecedented move. In the history of the Academy Awards, only one Oscar has been revoked: a documentary feature that was deemed ineligible for the reward due to a clerical error regarding its release date in 1967.