Will Smith faces two-week battle to save career after Oscar bosses start disciplinary action over Chris Rock slap

OSCARS slap star Will Smith faces a two-week battle to save his career after disciplinary action was formally started by awards bosses.

The star and his lawyers will now write to the Academy to plead his case for striking comedian Chris Rock at the ceremony screened live on TV.

Yesterday Rock, 57, was seen for the first time in public since the shocking scene.

Taking the stage in Boston, he still looked visibly shaken and broke down as he spoke to fans, who gave him a standing ovation.

Saying he was not ready to properly discuss the incident, he added: “Let me be all misty and s***. I’m still processing what happened. At some point I’ll talk about that s***.”

Meanwhile 53-year-old Smith — who was presented after the attack with his first Best Actor gong for his movie King Richard — now faces a make-or-break Academy hearing on April 18.

A source said: “Things are hanging in the balance. He will write an official letter to apologise, and effectively beg for their forgiveness.

“He is also expected to hold a call with show bosses in the next 24 hours. April 18 is D-Day, though — he will find out if he still has an Oscar, and quite possibly, a career.” Question marks hang over Smith’s upcoming projects including Apple-funded slave escape drama Emancipation — with executives declining to comment on its planned release.

He is also due to return to the Bad Boys franchise for a fourth instalment, though no start date has yet been set.

The source explained: “Production executives and studio chiefs do not want to be seen picking a side too early.”

Smith lashed out after stand-up Rock joked about wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair — shaved due to alopecia — suggesting she could appear in a new G.I. Jane film.

After the slap, Smith returned to his seat and twice shouted at Rock: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth!” 

Yesterday it was widely reported the Oscar production team urged Will’s management to get him to leave, but he insisted on staying.

Snaps of him dancing at the Vanity Fair after-party with his family are then said to have “added insult to injury” for those who thought he should not even have been invited on stage to accept his award.

As one put it: “He could have been announced as the winner, but then cut to a break so he didn’t get to have his moment.

 “Later on he’s dancing the night away. That doesn’t exactly say, ‘I’m sorry for what I’ve done and I’m ashamed’. It’s more, ‘I don’t care’.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences spelled out its stance in a statement.

It read: “Consistent with standards of conduct, as well as California law, Mr Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response.

“Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated.

“While we would like to clarify that Mr Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognise we could have handled the situation differently.”

It said the April 18 meeting will rule on “any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the by-laws and standards of conduct.”

The US public is widely divided over what should be done. Supporters insist Smith made “a simple mistake” and his actions are “understandable”. Broadcaster and Sun columnist Piers Morgan, recently on Fox News, said: “Great to see Hollywood so incensed by Will Smith’s slap and preparing to severely punish him. 

“Just a reminder the same Hollywood gave paedophile fugitive Roman Polanski an Oscar and a standing ovation after his conviction, and continues to hire him and shower him with awards.”

Others pointed to Johnny Depp’s big-money commercial deals despite The Sun exposing him as a domestic abuser.

But sources believe The Academy is “leaning the other way”, adding: “They really feel they have to be seen to act.

“It’s no wonder Will is seeking legal advice — he’s likely to need all the help he can get to avoid sanctions.”