Apple Drops $120 Million on Upcoming Action Thriller Film 'Emancipation' Starring Will Smith

Wednesday July 1, 2020 7:23 am PDT by Mitchel Broussard

Apple has acquired the rights to "Emancipation," an action thriller film about a slave on the run from the Confederacy in the midst of the Civil War, journeying north to join the Union Army (via Deadline). The film is set to star Will Smith and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who previously helmed "Training Day" and "The Equalizer."

antoine fuqua will smith

Image credit: Shutterstock via Deadline

Apple's purchase of "Emancipation" is described as the largest festival acquisition deal in film history. Several bidders were interested in the film when it was introduced at the Cannes Virtual Film Market, which was held late in June as a replacement to the physical Cannes Film Festival.

Apple allegedly paid north of $120 million for the film package, and "Emancipation" is set to premiere in theaters first and then around the world on Apple TV+. Production is expected to begin in early 2021.

Tag: Apple TV Plus Guide

Top Rated Comments

cmaier

42 months ago

So much money. It bothers me to think that this money could have been given to a charity instead. I’m not liking movie/TV Apple.

Apple gives lots of money to charity. And the way they get that money is by making money. If they gave all their money to charity, they would have nothing more to give.

Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)

When was the last will smith movie that wasn’t terrible?

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)

JimmyBanks6

Seems like a good investment, everything he has been in lately has been unbelievably good....

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

yaxomoxay

i thought gemini wasn't half bad, no?

It was bad.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Michael Scrip

I hate how everyone uses the word "drops" differently.

I know it was popularized by the music industry as in an artist "drops" a new album.

But to me the word "drops" means "removed"

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)