First Look at Apple’s Original Film ‘Emancipation’ Starring Will Smith

It’s been quite a year for Will Smith full of celebration and controversy. His well-deserved accolades from the film King Richard were completely overshadowed by the “slap heard around the world”. As to be expected, the actor has been relatively quiet since. However, this first look at his upcoming film, Emancipation, looks to place the star back in the spotlight for the right reasons.

Peter (Smith) is a slave in the state of Louisiana. Upon hearing that slaves are free, he escapes with the plan to make it to the Union Army. Holding onto faith and the love for his family, he must survive the harsh, unforgiving swamps of Louisiana and the cold-blooded hunters determined to catch him.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer), the film is inspired by the infamous image and story of “Whipped Peter”, a runaway slave whose mutilated back was photographed during a medical examination by the Union Army in 1863. Recently, Emancipation was screened at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 51st Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, and has already received positive feedback.

Also starring Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, and Gilbert Owuor, Emancipation premiers in theaters on December 2, 2022, and globally on Apple TV+ on December 9, 2022.