Matt Damon has issued an apology for the controversial comments on diversity in Hollywood that he made on last Sunday’s season premiere of Project Greenlight. In a clip from the episode that has since gone viral, Damon is seen interrupting Effie Brown, a black producer who has worked on films like Dear White People, as she attempts to remind the room why it’s crucial they select filmmakers of color for the show. He cuts her off, saying, “When you’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film, not the casting of the show.” She responds, in disbelief, “Ooof, wow, okay.” Damon has since been accused of rudely whitesplaining the racial politics of Hollywood to a successful black producer. Today, he’s issued this apology:
“I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It’s what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching Project Greenlight to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too. 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. 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. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.”
