Will Smith risks everything for his freedom as he pushes through unthinkable terrors in an attempt to reunite with his family in a trailer for his new film, Emancipation.

The movie, which marks the 54-year-old actor’s return to the screen for the first time since slapping Chris Rock at The Oscars back in March, stars Smith as a man named Peter, who bolts from slave hunters on his way out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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. 

Emotional: Will Smith risks everything for his freedom as he pushes through unthinkable terrors in an attempt to reunite with his family in a trailer for his new film, Emancipation

Highly anticipated trailer for Emancipation stars Will Smith

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 bofy more times I can count, but they never break me.’ Smith says. 

Journey to freedom: The movie, which marks the 54-year-old actor’s return to the screen for the first time since slapping Chris Rock at The Oscars back in March, stars Smith as a man named Peter, who bolts from slave hunters on his way out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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

Emotional: 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 bofy more times I can count, but they never break me.’ Smith says

Earlier this week, the film’s director, Antoine Fuqua, defended his decision to release Emancipation after Smith assaulted Rock, 57,  at the 94th Academy Awards.

Fuqua, 56, revealed that the movie – which follows a man who escapes slavery, and was filmed prior to the actor slapping the comedian across the face – is ‘more important than one bad moment,’ in a new interview with Vanity Fair. 

The filmmaker also shared that there was never a conversation ‘about the movie not coming out’ and called Smith the ‘nicest person I’ve ever met.’

Heart-wrenching: Earlier this week, the film’s director, Antoine Fuqua, defended his decision to release Emancipation after Smith assaulted Rock, 57, at the 94th Academy Awards

Worth watching: Fuqua, 56, revealed that the movie – which follows a man who escapes slavery, and was filmed prior to the actor slapping the comedian across the face – is ‘more important than one bad moment,’ in a new interview with Vanity Fair

Powerful movie: The filmmaker also shared that there was never a conversation ‘about the movie not coming out’ and called Smith the ‘nicest person I’ve ever met’

‘Of course I wanted people to see the film. My conversation was always, “Isn’t 400 years of slavery, of brutality, more important than one bad moment?” We were in Hollywood, and there’s been some really ugly things that have taken place, and we’ve seen a lot of people get awards that have done some really nasty things,’ he said.

During the 2022 Academy Awards, Smith bolted onstage and slapped Rock in the face, following a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s, 50, shaved head, yelling ‘Keep my wife’s name out your f*****g mouth!’

Following the incident the release date for the film was unknown, but last month Apple TV+ announced that it would hit theaters on December 2, and be available for streaming on December 9. 

Following the incident the release date for the film was unknown, but last month Apple TV+ announced that it would hit theaters on December 2, and be available for streaming on December 9

Will it get a nod? The film would also be qualified for the awards season, and despite the fact that Smith is banned from attending Academy events for the next 10 years, he is eligible to be nominated

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

Fuqua shared that after the studio and filmmakers talked about the situation, they decided that the film did not need to be postponed.

The Training Day director also revealed that the moment Smith hit Rock ‘didn’t feel real to me at all’ because he hadn’t ‘met a nicer human being’, adding that Smith was ‘kind to everyone on the set’ of Emancipation. 

Moving forward: Fuqua shared that after the studio and filmmakers talked about the situation, they decided that the film did not need to be postponed 

‘So I saw a different person than that one moment in time, and so my reaction was that particular moment is very foreign to me when it comes to Will Smith. I have nothing but amazing things to say about Will Smith, really genuinely. You can ask anybody that worked on the movie, they’ll tell you the same. Nicest person I’ve ever met in my life.’

He added: ‘Chris Rock — I know Chris — Chris is a good guy too. I’ve spent time with Chris, and I think it’s an unfortunate event and I hope we can move forward and get past it.’ 

Fuqua also stressed how the role was mentally and physically difficult on Smith: ‘It’s really hard to release a character who’s been brutalized and called the N-word every day — constantly, every day — and still be the nicest person in the world.’

Will Smith breaks his silence after infamous Chris Rock slap

Difficult: Fuqua also stressed how the role was mentally and physically difficult on Smith: ‘It’s really hard to release a character who’s been brutalized and called the N-word every day — constantly, every day — and still be the nicest person in the world’ 

Moving forward: ‘I can say that he’s a good man and I hope that people can forgive him and that we can move forward,’ he stated; Pictured October 19, 2022

‘So no excuses for anyone or anything, but I can say that he’s a good man and I hope that people can forgive him and that we can move forward.’

‘I hope Chris and Will find a way to sit together publicly, privately, whatever, and make amends. I think it would be an incredible statement,’ the director added.

Smith refused to discuss the Oscars fiasco with Vanity Fair but, shared that his character helped him ‘cultivate a higher capacity for empathy.’

The actor has also shown the film to his famous friends – including Dave Chappelle, Tyler Perry, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky – in a private screening in October. 

Famous friends: The actor already showed the film to his famous friends – including Dave Chappelle, Tyler Perry, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky – in a private screening in October. Apple TV+ announced that the movie will hit theaters on December 2