Chris Rock, who was slapped by Will Smith, returns as a director four years later: "Are you going to the Oscars again?" he was asked...

*This content was translated by AI.

A24, a new prestigious film studio in Hollywood, produced the film; Rock attended the Toronto International Film Festival with a movie he wrote and directed himself.

Comedian Chris Rock, who was slapped on the cheek by Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards, has returned as a film director after more than four years. This time, he appeared at the Toronto International Film Festival with a movie he wrote and directed himself. He also opened up about his current feelings regarding "that day" and whether he plans to attend the Oscars again.

Chris Rock's new film "Misty Green" will be unveiled on the 12th (local time) at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The film, presented by A24, a rapidly growing new prestigious studio in Hollywood, is directed and written by Rock himself. It marks his first feature-length directorial work since "Top Five" in 2014.

The protagonist is Misty Green (played by Rosalind Eliza), an actor who once made a name for himself in Hollywood but whose career has now come to a halt. Economically ruined to the point where he can no longer afford his former home with ocean views or even a premium fitness membership, he seeks a second chance at life. Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, Anna Kendrick, and Chris Rock also appear in the film.

Rock's ambition in returning as a director after 12 years is not simply to make a comedy film.

In a recent interview, he stated that he wants to become a "pop star-like director" in Hollywood. He dreams of being a director who captures both popular entertainment and artistic merit simultaneously.

The person Rock cited as an example was Christopher Nolan. Mentioning Nolan's "Oppenheimer," he said, "It might have been a small film if someone else had made it, but in Nolan's hands..." He also expressed admiration for Nolan's recent work "Odyssey." He explained that he too wants to be a director who creates artistic works that many people can watch.

However, Chris Rock's signature jokes have not disappeared. While referring to himself as a "writer-director," at one point he joked about playing the neighbor of Mandy Patinkin in a CBS drama, saying lines like "I brought the lunch!" and potentially earning a weekly salary of $80,000.

And naturally, questions arose about that incident from four years ago.

At the 94th Academy Awards in 2022, Rock took the stage as an presenter. After Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head due to her battle with illness, Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped him on the cheek, triggering the global "Oscar slap" incident.

Rock's attitude toward reflecting on the incident that occurred more than four years ago was surprisingly calm. While he expressed that he wished nothing had happened at the time, he also noted that there are far more serious issues in the world and that his own "bad day" is not the most important thing.

Since then, Rock has not appeared again at the Academy Awards ceremony. So, does he have any plans to return to the Oscars?

Regarding returning as an Oscar host, Rock replied with the sentiment that "I wouldn't say never, but my time may have passed." He also indicated his respect for the current hosts' positions.

When asked about the possibility of attending the Oscars again, his answer was even more cynical. "The only way I would go back is if I were nominated." Yet, he laughed and said there is no chance he will be nominated.

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*This content was translated by AI.