Will Smith shared a new shirtless snap onto Instagram earlier Friday to give fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the ‘WILD’ makeup from his upcoming film, Emancipation. 

The Academy Award-winning star, 54, stars as the leading character, a slave named Peter in Louisiana, and follows him as he attempts to reunite with his family amid the Civil War. 

The historical action film will be the first project released starring the actor since he infamously slapped comedian and host Chris Rock at the Oscars earlier in March.  

Behind-the-scenes: Will Smith, 54, uploaded a shirtless photo of himself on Instagram earlier Friday showing a look of himself getting makeup on for his upcoming film, Emancipation 

The King Richard actor could be seen showing off newly applied makeup on his torso and arm depicting cuts and scars for a scene in the historical drama.

In the caption of the post, Will gave special shout out to his makeup artist, Judy Murdock. ‘Judy’s done my makeup on almost all my movies and lemme tell you, she went WILD on #emancipation.’ 

When talking about stepping into the shoes of his character, Peter, which is based on the real escaped slave known as Whipped Peter, Will admitted to Vanity Fair that the process was ‘grueling.’ 

New film: Emancipation will be the first film released starring the actor since his infamous Oscar slap earlier in March 

Highly anticipated trailer for Emancipation stars Will Smith

He further added that becoming the character was a challenge, ‘physically, emotionally and mentally in every way. Not just for me, but for every single person working on the film. We had therapists and spiritual teachers on set. We had a pastor.’ 

The premise of the film, which is released in theaters on December 2 and then later on Apple TV+ on December 9, takes place at the height of the Civil War. 

The story also follows Will Smith’s character, ‘a runaway slave,’ who, ‘forges through the swamps of Louisiana on a tortuous journey to escape plantation owners that nearly killed him,’ according to IMDB.  

Will’s infamous Oscars slap from March, which caused him to be banned from the attending the award ceremony for 10 years, did not hinder the film’s release date. 

Director Antoine Fuqua, expressed to Vanity Fair what he wanted viewers to take from watching the movie. ‘I hope people are moved, emotionally moved. I hope they see the love story and feel the love story that we were really aiming to tell.’ 

Upcoming: Apple TV+ dropped an official, full-length trailer on Wednesday, and was completely in black and white

Based on a true story: Will’s character, Peter, which is based on the real escaped slave known as Whipped Peter

Gordon, also known as ‘Whipped Peter,’ pictured in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 2nd April 1863

Journey to freedom: The premise follows ‘a runaway slave,’ who, ‘forges through the swamps of Louisiana on a tortuous journey to escape plantation owners that nearly killed him’

 Coming soon: The film is set to be released in theaters on December 2 and then later on Apple TV+ on December 9

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Apple TV+ dropped an official, full-length trailer on Wednesday, and was completely in black and white. 

The preview begins with Smith’s character being separated from his loved ones, before attempting to flee to meet up with the Union Army amid the the Civil War.

As he is forced to go through a swamp to secure his freedom, Smith is warned that there ‘are many ways to die in a swamp.’

‘I fight them. They beat me. They whip me. They break the bones in my body more times I can count, but they never break me.’ Smith says.

The rest of the trailer shows small snippets of his treacherous journey back to his family. 

The past: Will’s infamous Oscars slap from March, which caused him to be banned from attending the award ceremony for 10 years, did not hinder the film’s release date

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The film would also be qualified for the awards season, and although Smith is banned from attending Academy events for the next 10 years, he is eligible to be nominated.

Earlier last month in October, Will held a small screening for Emancipation with a few close pals, including Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, and comedian Dave Chapelle. 

The actor shared a group photo with his pals who had seen the film, and an additional snap of the stars in a small theater.  

Special screening: The actor held a small screening for Emancipation with a few close pals, including Rihanna, Tyler Perry, and comedian Dave Chapelle, in October