Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting this year’s Oscars ceremony (Picture: Getty)
Jimmy Kimmel has issued a stark warning to anyone planning to recreate Will Smith’s slap at this year’s Oscars ceremony.
The comedian is taking over hosting duties for the 2023 Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in LA on Sunday.
All eyes will be on the bash after last year’s efforts were marred by controversy – when the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor stormed on stage to slap Chris Rock, after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.
Bosses have now secured a ‘crisis team’ in case of any ‘surprises’ or similar incidents in future, but Jimmy is already well prepared for any eventuality.
In a new chat, the 55-year-old was questioned on what the ‘crisis committee’ entailed, to which he laughed: ‘I wish I knew. I’ve not been involved in that. I guess I’m the last thing they’re worried about.
‘I feel like I should at least know what was discussed so I know what I should fear when I walk onstage. But, really, I suspect it mostly has to do with UFOs.’
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at last year’s ceremony (Picture: Getty)
Chris made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair just moments before (Picture: Reuters)
Discussing what he would do if there was another attack, he added to the Hollywood Reporter: ‘You mean, if somebody comes up on the stage and slaps me? Well, I size them up, and, if I’m bigger than they are, I beat the s**t out of them on television.
‘And if it’s the Rock, I run.’
The slap left Hollywood reeling and made headlines around the world, with Will issuing an apology shortly after.
He resigned from the Academy and was later banned from all of the organization’s events for a 10-year period.
Chris addressed the attack in his Netflix special (Picture: Netflix)
Chris finally addressed the incident for the first time over the weekend, in his new Netflix stand-up – Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, which streamed live on the platform.
Appearing on stage, the Everybody Hates Chris star couldn’t help but poke fun at Will’s marriage to Jada – and her ‘entanglement’ with singer August Alsina.
The comic also referred to a dispute he had with the couple after he hosted the Oscars in 2016 – revealing they suggested that he shouldn’t take on presenting duties over the #OscarsSoWhite scandal and Will’s lack of nomination for Concussion.
‘I did some jokes about her. Who gives a f**k? That’s how it is: She starts it, I finish it,’ he told the crowd. ‘That’s what the f**k happened. Nobody’s picking on this b***h. She started this s**t. Nobody was picking on her…. And then this n**** gives me a concussion!
‘I love Will Smith… he makes great movies. I rooted for Will Smith my whole life. And now, I watched Emancipation just so I could watch him get whooped.’
Addressing the slap, he added: ‘Everybody f**king knows. Yes, it happened, like a year ago, I got smacked at the f**king Oscars by this motherf**ker.
More: Trending
‘People are like, “Did it hurt?” It still hurts! I’ve got Summertime ringing in my ears.
‘[But] you will never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying. Never gonna happen. I took that hit like Pacquiao, motherf**ker.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Hoda Kotb ‘profoundly touched’ over support after daughter’s worrying hospital visit
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
Noted.