'Emancipation' teaser: Will Smith plays runaway slave in Apple TV+ film

Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ is giving a glimpse of the new film Emancipation.

The streaming service shared a teaser trailer for the historical drama film Monday featuring Will Smith.

Emancipation explores the true story of Gordon, or "Whipped Peter," a runaway slave who joined the Union Army during the Civil War. Photos of his scars from a near-fatal whipping were published in Harper's Weekly, illustrating the cruelty of slavery for readers to see.

The film is written by William N. Collage and directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Magnificent Seven).

The cast also includes Ben Foster, Steven Ogg, Charmaine Bingwa, Gilbert Owuor and Mustafa Shakir.

Emancipation opens in theaters Dec. 2 and starts streaming Dec. 9 on Apple TV+.

The film marks Smith's first project since controversy over an incident where he slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards in March. Smith was subsequently banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years.