According to an announcement made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the discussion on how to penalize actor Will Smith following the slapping incident that occurred at the Oscars on March 27 has been moved forward.
The originally scheduled meeting on April 18 has been moved ahead to April 8, according to Academy president David Rubin in a letter to academy members on Wednesday, April 6.
Variety obtained a copy of the memo, which stated:
“The date of April 18 was chosen in conformity with California law and our Code of Conduct because our agenda contained the possibility of Mr. Smith’s suspension or expulsion from membership.
“We were obligated to give Mr. Smith 15 days’ notice of any board meeting where such action would be considered, as well as the chance to furnish the board with a written statement no less than five days prior to such meeting.”
Smith, 53, resigned from the Academy earlier this month after hitting comedian Chris Rock in the face during a live transmission after Rock made a crude remark about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Despite the fact that the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star has left the group, he might still be disciplined for hitting Rock, 57, onstage in front of the entire globe.
Any disciplinary action taken against Smith may make him ineligible for future awards consideration, as well as prevent him from attending the telecast next year.
At this year’s Academy Awards, the father of three earned Best Actor for his performance as the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in “King Richard.”