Apple TV+ lands 'Emancipation' starring Will Smith

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Source: Apple (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

• Apple TV+ is getting a new film.

• It's called Emancipation.

• It stars Will Smith and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Apple has reportedly landed the rights to a new movie on Apple TV+, Emancipation , starring Will Smith.

After a heated bidding war, Apple has landed Emancipation, the action film that will star Will Smith and is set to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Many of the major studios were vying for the package being sold out of the Cannes virtual market. Warner Bros and Apple were the final two bidders, with Apple taking the project for a massive price tag.

As the report notes, Apple has reportedly paid through the nose for the production.

Emancipation is based on a true story and follows a runaway slave who tries to evade capture through Louisiana, heading north to join the Union Army. A photo taken of Peter's back was made famous in 1864 after it was published as proof of the cruelty of slavery in America. As the report notes, it prompted many free Blacks to join the Union Army.

The movie will be produced by Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Jon Mone, and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Magnificent Seven, Shooter).

The movie marks the latest acquisition for Apple's TV+ platform, adding to Tom Hanks WWII film Greyhound and Israel-Iran espionage thriller Tehran.

Yesterday, Apple dropped the trailer for Boys State , a political coming-of-age documentary which won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival.