Zack Snyder's Justice League actor, Harry Lennix, believes that Will Smith should return his Oscar to restore the award's honor. The 94th Academy Awards were held on March 27; however, all discussions of 2021's films virtually dissolved after the Smith incident. During the show, the Oscars host, Chris Rock, cracked a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, calling her"G.I. Jane" in reference to her close-cropped haircut.
The moment shocked everyone, as viewers quickly registered the moment was not scripted. What has followed has been an intense discussion about conduct and intolerance for assault. Many were quick to react with disdain to Smith's actions, and it was revealed that the police were ready to arrest Smith that night for his assault. As a result, Smith resigned from the Academy and was also given a 10-year ban from the Oscars.
At this point, the only person who can redeem the integrity of the Oscars is Smith himself. He needs to come to grips with the gravity of the offense he committed: slapping Rock, live on March 27 in front of millions on the Academy Awards stage. Smith needs to express-mail his golden trophy back to the Academy and publicly state something to the effect of: “Out of respect for the 94 years of honor conferred upon this award, I do not in good conscience feel worthy of being its custodian.
In addition to this, Lennix also found fault in Smith's acceptance speech for his Best Actor award, which he won for portraying Richard Williams in King Richard. During the speech, Smith tearfully apologized for his actions. However, Smith also mentioned how Williams was a defender of his family and how he was just doing what he felt"God" had called him to do in that moment.
Lennix's article doesn't mince words, and it is the fiery and blunt response that one may take to heart. While many celebrities have reacted to Smith's actions with shock or have expressed sympathy and support for Rock, not many of them have so clearly articulated the problem and the necessary solution.
Opinions are like what? Boom!
I wholeheartedly agree!
Oh stfu, it was a slap and Rock isn't innocent here either. Since when did we start teaching to defend the bullies instead of discouraging them? Smith has been punished already.
Maybe compassion and empathy should be on the side of chrisrock! Will Smith committed an act of violence that we all witnessed and it kills me that many Black people want to downplay the CHIT. What if Ben Affleck slapped Smith for ragging on J-lo. We'd all sing BLM. SMH
Yup he should return it
How about Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and anyone else in Hollywood who has received awards who has done far worse than Will Smith?
No he deserves his Oscar. He won it for his acting talent. Don't be an ass!
He won the award, he earned it. He didn’t win it for “not being an asshole” right after proving he’s an asshole. Does that mean Russell Crowe should return his Oscar for throwing a telephone at someone?
The award was for acting, not slapping, and last time i checked, chris rock said people need to chill the fuck out. I would be haply if i didn't hear about this dumbshit for... 10 years. Good going academy, you tried
Will Smith, earned that Oscar. He won an Oscar's for best Actor, Chris Rock didn't win an Oscar, neither did the Oscar's People that run the Oscar's, so make a Black man your target, I don't like Violence 😞, can you compare what happen to VLADIMIR PUTIN.
Smith won the Oscar. Sure he acted out of anger. Everyone does. He worked hard for the oscar. He can pay in other ways for his transgressions.
What? But Smith is right, they joked about his ailing wife, Smith did the right thing!
Harry needs to calm down, the academy isn’t going to give Will’s Oscar to him. 🙄🤡
It has nothing to do with his role in the movie in which he won the award. Also, being banned from the live show isn’t truly a punishment TBH, once he comes back aft ten years, it will make the academy look stupid
This sounds as wrong as the president still using a landphone to talk with his generals
Just because he slapped somebody doesn’t mean he should return a reward that already had his name on it. Dude the GOAT in acting, he deserve that award real talk! Despite him slapping Chris rock, Will earned that honestly
OscarsSoWhite
Harry Lennix, you are talking advantage to punish Will for his fame and money. It’s all mediocre so.
kind of a yikes seeing as though there are far worse people who STILL have their Oscar awards. they've done far worse and yet here they are trying to take his.
The new poster BOY for America 🇺🇸🧐
I agree
Not Polanski, tho? Weinstein? Just saying, if Will has to return his they should have to return theirs. And I'm sure there's others.
i don't think he needs to return it irrespective of that slap he still deserved it not that im condoning violence or anything
Agree and he wanted attention and he got it what's gonna happen next year is he and wife is going to boycott the Oscar's
I don’t agree
This guy needs to go back to whatever rock they found him under!
The academy must be respond to cancel his award winner 🏆 and do apologize to all including chris Rock
Don't you have somebody else's content to steal
Maybe some people just need to put themselves in the right place and stop acting like High and mighty.
We all know is the right thing to do but Will Smith will remain disgraced and not return the Oscar. He doesn't deserve to keep the award after the violent crime he committed. The reason he's not in jail is cause he's rich.
Why not thinking about Who the first make trouble Rock mock Smith remember that How about when your lovely mock by someone,what ur reaction
i love harry he’s an amazing actor but he’s tweakin
It’s not necessary to return an award he earned. His resignation plus a 10 year band from the academy is more than sufficient. Any other “penalties” per se would result if Chris Rock decides to sue and/or press charges.
Silly!!😨
I support this
I’m sorry who tf is this guy bruh 💀
WILL SMITH WAS RIGHT
He 'believes.' 'BELIEVES.' And?
Idiocy.
THIS is what Harry Lennix chooses to attach his name? We haven’t heard his name for some time now.