Will Smith knows audiences might not be ready to see him onscreen after the 2022 Oscars slap.

Following Smith attacking presenter Chris Rock and his subsequent barring from attending the Academy Awards for the next decade, the Best Actor winner addressed his latest role in slavery biopic “Emancipation.” The Antoine Fuqua-directed film premieres in theaters December 2, followed by an Apple TV+ release December 9.

“I completely understand — if someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” Smith told journalist Kevin McCarthy while promoting the film. “My deepest concern is my team – Antoine has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career.”

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Smith continued, “The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team. At this point, that’s what I’m working for. I’m hoping that the material – the power of the film, the timeliness of the story – I’m hoping that the good that can be done would open people’s hearts at a minimum to see and recognize and support the incredible artists in and around this film”.

Read more: Indiewire