Chris Rock Sets Condition for Oscars Return After Will Smith Slap
Four years after Will Smith slapped him live on stage at the Academy Awards, Chris Rock has finally clarified what it would take for him to return to Hollywood's biggest night. The answer, it turns out, is simple: a nomination.
In a candid interview with Variety, the 61-year-old comedian and director of the upcoming film Misty Green addressed speculation about a potential Oscars comeback. Rock was direct about his stance, citing the current lineup of hosts as a reason he feels no urgency to reclaim the spotlight.
What did Chris Rock say about hosting the Oscars again?
Rock dismissed the idea of returning as a host, praising the current generation of awards show emcees.
“When people answer those questions, they're being disrespectful to the people that got the gig. They have great hosts. Conan O'Brien is amazing. Nikki Glaser is amazing on the Golden Globes. I'm not going to say never, but my time might have passed, honestly,”Rock told the publication.
He was equally clear about 2027, stating that a return is off the table unless circumstances change dramatically.
Will Chris Rock attend the Oscars in 2027?
“I'm not getting nominated. The only way I'll go back is if I'm nominated, and I'm not getting nominated. And that's okay,” Rock said. “We'll deal with that if it happens. Like, let's manage expectations.”
Rock's comments come amid growing buzz for Misty Green, set for release on October 9. The film stars Rosalind Eleazar as an actress seeking a career resurgence, a role Rock is eager to promote without distraction.
How does Chris Rock view the 2022 incident now?
Reflecting on the slap that dominated global headlines, Rock expressed regret that the moment ever occurred.
“I wish nothing would have happened,”he said, before pivoting to his current priorities.
“I don't want to say anything that takes any attention away from Rosalind and how good she is in this movie. It's a crazy world. We walk by homeless people. There's all sorts of s--- going on right now. Me having a bad day is not the biggest -- it's not that important.”
How have Will Smith and Chris Rock referenced the slap since?
Both men have addressed the incident in their work. Smith alluded to it on his 2025 album Based on a True Story, his first solo LP in two decades. Lyrics included lines like “You can't cancel no icon” and a direct reference to Rock's on-stage warning: “You better keep his wife's name out of your mouth!”
Smith later issued a public apology naming Rock directly.
“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness,”he wrote at the time.
The Academy subsequently banned Smith from all sanctioned events, including the Oscars, for a decade. Backstage, sources told Entertainment Weekly that removing Smith from the ceremony was seriously considered, though the logistics proved nearly impossible within the 10-minute window available.
What does this mean for Chris Rock's career trajectory?
For Rock, the focus is squarely on Misty Green and his work as a director. By framing his Oscars return as a matter of merit rather than spectacle, he positions himself as a figure more interested in craft than ceremony. The stance aligns with a broader shift in awards culture, where relevance is increasingly tied to artistic output rather than past controversies.
As the industry moves forward, Rock's measured response offers a template for navigating public fallout: acknowledge the past, prioritize the present, and let the work speak for itself.