Matt Damon apologized for the comments he made during a discussion on racial diversity in film casting on an episode of HBO's "Project Greenlight," Variety reported. Damon received backlash after many perceived his statements about diversity to be dismissive.
"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," Damon said in a statement obtained by Variety. "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."
On the HBO series "Project Greenlight" - that follows first-time filmmakers as they direct their first feature film - producer Effie Brown ("Dear White People," "Real Women Have Curves") brought up the topic of diversity in casting film roles, as previously reported by HNGN. Damon interrupted Brown as she attempted to make a point about the treatment of the film's only black actress, who was portraying the role of a prostitute.
After the episode aired, Brown echoed the same sentiment Damon expressed in his apology. She said the good thing that came out of her and Damon's exchange was that it started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood, Entertainment Weekly reported.
"Ooof! Wow! Okay. Thank you for watching the show and getting a great conversation started," she tweeted. "I can't wait to hear you on the other episodes!"
See her tweet below.
Ooof! Wow! Okay. Thank you for watching the show and getting a great conversation started. I can't wait to hear you on the other episodes!
— Effie Brown (@dulynotedinc) September 15, 2015
