Chris Rock has revealed the one thing that could bring him back to the Oscars four years after Will Smith slapped him onstage.
The American comedian and actor says he would return to the Academy Awards only if the ceremony nominated him for an Oscar.
I am not getting nominated. The only way I will go back is if I am nominated, and I am not getting nominated.
Rock made the comments while speaking to Variety about his new movie, “Misty Green,” which he wrote, directed and stars in.
The 61-year-old comedian previously hosted the Oscars in 2005 and 2016. He has not returned to the ceremony since Smith walked onto the stage and slapped him during the 2022 broadcast.
Rock does not appear interested in hosting the show again either.
When asked whether he could return as host, he praised current hosts Conan O’Brien and Nikki Glaser before admitting that his time might have passed.
I am not going to say never, but my time might have passed, honestly.
Rock also briefly addressed the infamous 2022 incident but refused to let it overshadow his new film.
I wish nothing would have happened.
He added that his experience that night does not feel like the biggest problem in the world to him.
Me having a bad day is not the biggest, it is not that important.
Smith later apologized publicly for the incident, while the Academy banned him from attending its events for 10 years.
For Rock, however, the Oscars appear to belong to the past unless the Academy gives him a reason to come back.
And for now, he is not expecting that invitation.