Chris Rock criticizes Will Smith for referencing Oscars slap in 'Bad Boys 4'

Rock condemns Smith for mocking the infamous Oscars slap in a new 'Bad Boys 4' scene, calling it a "cheap stunt."

The long-standing fallout from the infamous Oscars slap incident, where Chris Rock was struck by Will Smith, continues to stir controversy.

While Smith has seemingly moved past the event, continuing his career with new projects, Chris Rock remains vocal about his displeasure, particularly in light of recent developments in Smith's latest film, 'Bad Boys 4'.

In this newest installment of the 'Bad Boys' series, which sees Smith reunite with co-star Martin Lawrence, there's a specific scene that has reignited tensions.

The scene in question features Smith's character delivering a hard slap to another character, a move that is clearly a tongue-in-cheek reference to the real-life Oscars slap.

While the scene has been received with laughter in theaters, suggesting a successful comedic moment, Chris Rock views it differently.

According to a source who spoke to Hot97, Rock is deeply offended by the inclusion of the slap scene.

“Chris thinks it’s a pretty cheap stunt and he’s telling people how lame he finds it,” the source reported.

“It’s a classic case of Will making light of a horrific situation. Will’s playing the victim. It was the lowest point of his career, but that’s no excuse.”

Rock's reaction underscores a significant clash in how public figures reconcile professional setbacks and personal grievances, especially when such incidents are played out under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.

Rock perceives the slap reference not just as a personal jab but as an inappropriate trivialization of a genuine assault he endured, which Smith later apologized for.