How will the academy punish Will Smith for his Oscars slap? It has various options

Because the sting of Will Smith’s hand putting Chris Rock’s face begins to fade, a giant query stays: What, if something, will the movie academy do to punish the “King Richard” Oscar winner for his inappropriate on-camera habits?

The Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences stated Wednesday that it had requested Smith to depart the ceremony however the actor refused to take action. (Then once more, possibly it didn’t ask?)

The group stated its board of governors had “initiated disciplinary proceedings” in opposition to Smith for violations of its requirements of conduct, a code that was up to date in late 2017 by a job power that was fashioned within the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The code particularly prohibits “abusive or threatening habits,” which presumably consists of smacking a peer in entrance of an viewers of 15.4 million individuals.

“[W]e additionally acknowledge we may have dealt with the state of affairs otherwise,” the academy added in its assertion.

The movie academy’s disciplinary measures — along with expulsion or suspension of membership — “could embody personal reprimand, public reprimand, momentary or everlasting lack of privileges to attend and take part in Academy occasions or actions, momentary or everlasting lack of eligibility to obtain or maintain or revocation of Academy awards or honors, momentary or everlasting lack of eligibility to carry Academy service and volunteer roles, or different sanctions that the Academy in its sole discretion could deem applicable.”

Listed below are some punishment choices the academy would possibly select.

Expulsion

Kicking Smith out of the academy can be an enormous assertion — one the group might be unwilling to make. Amongst those that have been booted from the group are Weinstein (expelled in 2017), director Roman Polanski (out in 2017), Invoice Cosby (axed in 2017) and cinematographer Adam Kimmel (booted in 2021), all of whom participated in alleged sexual misconduct. There’s additionally actor Carmine Caridi, who was kicked out in 2004 for pirating his “to your consideration” screener movies and giving them to a buddy who was not a member.

Exclusion

The “Males in Black” star could possibly be banned from collaborating in academy actions, together with future Oscars ceremonies. Meaning he can be out as a presenter in addition to a visitor and — in a break from custom — he wouldn’t get to current the 2023 Oscar to subsequent yr’s lead actress winner.

On the finish of his lead actor acceptance speech Sunday, the tearful actor thanked the academy and stated he hopes “the academy invitations me again,” so he is aware of he is perhaps on skinny ice.

Cancellation

This isn’t precisely the “cancel tradition” everybody’s been speaking about lately, nevertheless it’s shut sufficient. Smith could possibly be excluded from eligibility for Academy Awards sooner or later, below the academy’s proper to punish offenders with what it calls “momentary or everlasting lack of eligibility to obtain or maintain or revocation of Academy awards or honors.”

Revocation

Theoretically, the academy may take again Smith’s newly earned Oscar, however it might be unprecedented. Whereas three individuals — actors George C. Scott and Marlon Brando and “The Informer” screenwriter Dudley Nichols — have declined to simply accept their awards, just one Oscar has been taken again: The one time the academy ever revoked an Oscar is for a 1969 documentary, “Younger People,” which turned out to be ineligible for that yr’s honor. Weinstein and Polanski nonetheless have their trophies.

“We’re not going to take that Oscar from him,” Whoopi Goldberg stated Tuesday on “The View.” The member of the academy’s board of governors additionally predicted “huge penalties” for the errant actor. Goldberg, nonetheless, is however considered one of 54 individuals on the movie academy’s board, and ultimately it seems to be a bunch choice.

Suspension

That is most probably going to be a part of Smith’s punishment, which can be voted on at a board of governors assembly on April 18. The Oscar winner was supplied 15 days to supply a written response.

“There is no such thing as a place within the Academy for individuals who abuse their standing, energy or affect in a fashion that violates acknowledged requirements of decency,” states the introduction to the group’s code of conduct. “The Academy is categorically against any type of abuse. …” Because the group strives to be extra inclusive and faces a number of recent challenges, the very last thing it desires is a loose-cannon member whose public misbehavior goes with out penalties.

Use your creativeness

A detailed studying of the code of conduct suggests the academy has the precise to do regardless of the heck it desires to do — below the umbrella of “different sanctions that the Academy in its sole discretion could deem applicable.” This is a bunch of creatives, in spite of everything.

It doesn’t matter what the academy’s governors resolve, it would come quickly sufficient and certain received’t be a secret. That is additionally within the code of conduct: “[E]xcept with respect to a non-public reprimand, the Academy could make public any discovering of a violation and sanctions issued.”

Instances employees author Josh Rottenberg contributed to this report.