Today at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, Apple Original Films hosted the world premiere of the highly anticipated drama, “Emancipation,” starring Will Smith. “Emancipation” is set to debut in theaters on Friday, December 2 and globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, December 9, 2022.

Those celebrating “Emancipation” at the star-studded red-carpet event included Will Smith, Ben Foster and Charmaine Bingwa, as well as producers Jon Mone and Joey McFarland, executive producers Chris Brigham, Heather Washington, Cliff Roberts and Scott Greenberg, writer William N. Collage and more.

“Emancipation” tells the triumphant story of Peter (Will Smith), a man who escapes from slavery, relying on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love for his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his quest for freedom. The film is inspired by the 1863 photos of “Whipped Peter,” taken during a Union Army medical examination, that first appeared in Harper’s Weekly. One image, known as “The Scourged Back,” which shows Peter’s bare back mutilated by a whipping delivered by his enslavers, ultimately contributed to growing public opposition to slavery.

Above: Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa and Will Smith 

Above: Jamie Erlicht, head of worldwide video at Apple TV+, Will Smith, Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services and Zack Van Amburg, head of worldwide video at Apple TV+, attend Apple Original Films world premiere of “Emancipation” at the Regency Village Theatre.

Yesterday Variety reviewed Emancipation in a report titled "A Subdued Will Smith Carries Antoine Fuqua’s Brutal but Essential Slave Saga." Usually Variety's reviews of Apple programming are rather negative. I was surprised to finally read a positive review. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see Emancipation next week.

First Look at Apple Original Comedy Series "Shrinking"

In other Apple TV+ news, Apple unveiled the premiere date and a first look at “Shrinking,” the new 10-episode comedy starring Jason Segel, and written by Emmy Award winning “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence, Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein and Segel. Also starring Harrison Ford in one of his first major television roles, “Shrinking” will premiere globally with the first two episodes on Friday, January 27, on Apple TV+, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday.

“Shrinking” follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own.

Archive: Apple TV News