Chris Rock reveals ‘one condition’ that would bring him back to the Oscars after Will Smith’s slap
Chris Rock has revealed the one thing that could bring him back to the Oscars, more than four years after Will Smith slapped him onstage at the 2022 ceremony.
While promoting Misty Green, the new film he wrote and directed, the 61-year-old comedian addressed the possibility of returning to the Academy Awards. In an interview with Variety, Rock clarified his stance.
Rock doesn’t expect another Oscars appearance
Rock indicated he is unlikely to return unless his own work is nominated for an award.
“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 OK. We’ll deal with that if it happens. Like, let’s manage expectations,” he said.
Misty Green marks Rock’s return to directing. The A24 film stars Rosalind Eleazar as a former actress seeking to revive her career, alongside Rock, Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya and Anna Kendrick.
Rock is also reluctant to make himself the focus during the film’s promotion. He told Variety he wished the 2022 incident hadn’t happened and that he didn’t want to detract from Eleazar’s performance.
“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.”
Chris Rock hosted the Oscars twice
Rock has a history with the ceremony, having hosted the Oscars in 2005 and 2016.
He also presented at the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022, where he was onstage to present Best Documentary Feature when Smith approached and struck him after Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head, a result of alopecia.
While presenting an award, Rock said, “Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it.” In response, Will walked onto the stage, slapped Rock across the face, and shouted, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth” after returning to his seat.
Smith later won Best Actor for King Richard that night. The Academy subsequently banned him from its events, including the Oscars, for 10 years starting April 8, 2022. Smith also resigned from the Academy.
Rock isn’t sure he would host again
When asked if he had been approached to host again, Rock praised current presenters instead of expressing interest in the role.
“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,” he said.
Rock added that he is not completely ruling out a return, stating, “I’m not going to say never, but my time might have passed, honestly.”
Rock is focused on Misty Green
Rock is now focused on Misty Green. This is his first feature as a director since Top Five in 2014. It follows a once-successful actress as she attempts to revive her career.
The movie is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 9, 2026.