Netflix and Sony pause upcoming projects starring Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars

• Netflix and Sony have halted upcoming movie projects starring Will Smith, a report says.
• The Hollywood Reporter reported that "Fast and Loose" and "Bad Boys 4" will be put on pause.

Entertainment giants Netflix and Sony have put upcoming projects with Will Smith on hold after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

At the highly anticipated awards ceremony, comedian Chris Rock began joking about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith before revealing the best documentary winner. "Can't wait for 'GI Jane 2,'" said Rock, who was seemingly making a reference to Pinkett Smith's bald head. Pinkett Smith has alopecia, which has led to hair loss.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith was due to star in an upcoming Netflix movie, "Fast and Loose," but sources told the outlet that the streaming giant set the project aside.

Netflix was reportedly wary of progressing with the movie, the outlet added.

"Fast and Loose" already lost its director David Leitch a week before the Oscars, after he pivoted to "Fall Guy," starring Ryan Gosling. The film is due to start production in August this year.

Sources told the outlet that Leitch's withdrawal prompted Netflix to put out an urgent call for another director to helm "Fast and Loose" but soon after Smith's controversial actions at the ceremony, they "quietly" shifted it out of focus.

Sony also halted work on "Bad Boys 4," in which Smith had a role, sources told The Hollywood Reporter.

Netflix and Sony did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

After the Oscars incident, Smith issued a public apology to Rock and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith said in the Instagram post.