The consequences of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock have shaken his career, but Bel-Air creator Morgan Cooper defends him in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment ahead of season 2. It has been revealed that the actor, who launched his career in the ’90s sitcom, which Peacock has taken the reboot into more dramatic territory, has maintained his involvement in the reboot.
The Bel-Air creator had nothing but positive things to say about Will Smith. He called him a “tremendous partner” in making the reboot. Still, the slap was the elephant in the room. Cooper called it a “human moment” and for people to have those moments not to be judged.
“That was a very human moment – nobody’s perfect, and it’s important not to be judgmental. I’ve seen the content of his character on a day-to-day basis with this crew, this cast, my producing partners, the network, and the studio.”
The slap in question has brought some trouble for the actor. Many in Hollywood have spoken against him, and he was banned from the Oscars for a decade. Others have also defended him, making it a controversial topic that is still discussed, especially as we head toward the Academy Awards this March.
Bel-Air creator defends Will Smith about the slap ahead of season 2
Cooper created a short based on the sitcom. Peacock picked it up for an official reboot. It saw TJ Brady and Rasheed Newton serve as the showrunners, who have since left the project due to creative differences. Executive producer Carla Banks Waddles has been promoted to become the showrunner for the second outing of the series.
The series stars Jabari Banks, Cassandra Freeman (The Enemy Within), Jimmy Akingbola (Kate & Koji), Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones (Five Points), Akira Akbar (Captain Marvel), Simone Joy Jones, Jordan L. Jones (Rel), and Adrian Holmes (Elysium). Newcomers for season 2 will include Al-Shabazz Jabateh (Prime Day Show), Nicholas Duvernay (Purple Hearts), Diandra Lyle (Secrets of Sulphur Springs), Justin Cornwell (The Umbrella Academy), Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and Reno Wilson (Good Girls).
The Bel-Air short creator executive produces with Will Smith, Anthony Sparks, Malcolm Spellman, Terence Carter, James Lassister, Miguel Melendez, Benny Medina, Quincy Jones, Andy Borowitz, Susan Borowitz, Brady, and Newson.
Season 2 will premiere on Peacock on February 23.