The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has pushed back the date of its meeting to evaluate possible punishment against best leading actor winner Will Smith for slapping host Chris Rock, a letter from the organization's president states.
The group's board of governors, which is in charge of handing out the Oscars, was supposed to meet on April 18 to review the event during last month's ceremony. Last Friday, Smith resigned from the organization, saying he would take whatever punishment the body deemed necessary.
Since Smith resigned, David Rubin, the Academy's president, wrote in a letter that the organization no longer had to follow the legally mandated timeline to consider the issue.
"It is in the best interests of everyone involved if this is addressed quickly," Rubin said.
Smith's eligibility for future awards might be revoked, and he could be barred from attending future Oscar ceremonies as his possible sanctions.
The actor will be notified 15 days before the board hearing at which action may be taken, as well as the chance to submit a written formal statement to the board no less than five days prior to the meeting.
Smith stepped onto the stage after comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the live event on March 27.
While giving the award for outstanding documentary, Rock stated, "Jada, I love you, 'G.I. Jane 2,' can't wait to see it." He proceeded to hit Rock, marched back to his chair, and yelled at the comedian not to use his wife's name.
Smith was seen grooving at Vanity Fair's yearly post-Oscars party less than an hour passed, giving a heartfelt statement on stage as he won the best actor prize for his work in "King Richard."
The analogy to Smith's wife in Rock's joke was to the 1997 film "G.I. Jane," in which star Demi Moore shaved her head. It was uncertain whether Rock was informed that Jada Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia, a disorder that causes hair loss.
Following the incident, the Academy issued a statement that night stating it does not support violence in any form, and Smith apologized for his behavior, though not to Rock.
Smith arranged a brief virtual meeting on March 29 between him, Rubin, and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.
Though there are possible sanctions considered, with Smith having already resigned, it is still unclear what certain punishments suit the case.
