The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has just issued a new statement that they have officially started a formal review of Sunday night’s Will Smith’s show-stopping Oscar’s altercation.

The incident will likely to be addressed at the next meeting of the Academy’s board of governors which generally addresses some issues that arose during the ceremony.

In the statement today they say: “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”

“The Academy’s standards of conduct set out guidelines for behaviour by members and the process of reviews. After reviewing a matter and obtaining further information from involved parties and witnesses the Academy can decide to “take no action, to take remedial or disciplinary action short of suspension or expulsion of the member respondent, or to refer the matter to the Board of Governors with a recommendation to suspend or expel the member respondent.”

The televised 94th Academy Awards’ incident which Smith walked up to the stage at Dolby Theatre and slapped Rock when the comedian and best feature documentary award presenter made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith and G.I. Jane 2.

It’s expected some disciplinary sanction of Smith will take place such as a potential suspension of his Academy membership. The revocation of his best actor Oscar however is unlikely.

Will Smith has posted an Instagram statement apologizing to Chris Rock after slapping him at the 2022 Oscars last night.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

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.

I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.

I am a work in progress.

Sincerely,

Will”