Matt Damon is now apologizing after he argued with a black film producer about diversity during the season premiere of his show “Project Greenlight.”
“I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies,” Damon said in a statement Wednesday. “I want every young person watching ‘Project Greenlight’ to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
“My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of ‘Project Greenlight’ which did not make the show.” (RELATED: PBS Series Suspended After It Censored Ben Affleck’s Slave-Owning Heritage)
“I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood.”
On Sunday night’s episode, Damon and Effie Brown, a black filmmaker, were discussing a script when Brown argued that filmmakers should be diverse so characters are accurately portrayed.
“When we’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film, not in the casting of the show,” Damon said, inciting criticism from many who said he was “Damon-splaining.” (RELATED: Matt Damon May Have Finally Ruined His Career By Arguing With A Black Filmmaker)