Jason Statham apologises for ‘f**king fags’ comment
(Frazer Harrison/Getty)
Jason Statham has apologised after allegedly saying “f**king fags” on set.
The actor, who has made his name as an action hero in films like Snatch, The Expendables and the Fast & Furious series, released a statement after a recording was revealed.
During filming for the 2015 blockbuster Wild Card, the star and long-time producing partner Steven Chasman got into a heated discussion in which Statham allegedly repeatedly used the term “f**king fags.”
(Lionsgate)
According to The Blast, R.J. Cipriani, an associate producer on the film – which also starred Milo Ventimiglia, Stanley Tucci and Sofía Vergara – recorded the argument.
Related: How to apologise for homophobia
In 2017, he revealed this fact to Statham, 50, who has now made a public statement apologising for the slur, which he insisted he does not remember saying.
(Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)
“Someone approached me claiming to have a tape of me using terms offensive to the LGBTQ community during a conversation I had with my producing partner, on a movie set five years ago,” the star said.
“I have never heard the recording and my multiple requests to hear the recording have been refused. I have no recollection of making any of these offensive comments.
“However, let me be clear, the terms referenced are highly offensive. If I said these words, it was wrong and I deeply apologise,” added the British actor.
(Frazer Harrison/Getty)
“Anyone who knows me knows it doesn’t reflect how I feel about the LGBTQ community.
“While I cannot fix what was said in the past, I can learn from it and do better in the future.”
Thankfully, there are films being released this year which make progress in terms of LGBT representation.
Deadpool 2 is getting a lot of praise for finally bringing LGBT superheroes to the big screen.
(20th Century Fox)
The superhero sequel, which is out this week, brings back moody teenage mutant Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), and introduces her girlfriend, the badass mutant Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna).
The inclusion of queer superheroes in the film, even in a supporting role, has earned praise from fans and LGBT activists – who have long criticised DC and Marvel for perceived ‘straightwashing’ of characters in blockbuster films.
And Rafiki, a Kenyan film about lesbians which debuted at Cannes Film Festival this month, has also been heralded for its plotline.
(Big World Cinema)
However, it has also been banned in Kenya after director Wanuri Kahiu reportedly refused to censor parts of the film.
Kahiu has also said that the Kenya Film Classification Board, a government body that regulates films in the country, threatened her with arrest.
