Lionsgate has cancelled the red carpet ahead of the New York premiere of Liam Neeson’s new film “Cold Pursuit” on Tuesday night.
The premiere itself will still take place Tuesday, but the cancellation of the red carpet comes in the wake of a shocking interview revealed on Monday in which Neeson said that many years back he prowled the streets with a weapon hoping to come across a “black bastard” and seek revenge for his friend who had been raped. An individual familiar with the matter said that the red carpet wouldn’t be appropriate under the circumstances.
Lionsgate had no comment. Neeson’s reps did not immediately respond for comment.
Neeson appeared on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday to apologize and clarified some of his comments in an interview with Robin Roberts, saying that he’s “not racist.”
“I went out deliberately into black areas in this city looking to be set upon so I could unleash physical violence. And I did it for maybe four or five times until I caught myself on, and it really shocked me, this primal urge I had. It shocked me and it hurt me. I did seek help,” Neeson said. “I’m not racist. This was nearly 40 years ago.”
The actor was asked about the film’s themes of revenge during a junket interview when he revealed that he had a “primal urge” to seek revenge. He attributed his behavior in part to the tumultuous time during his upbringing in Northern Ireland in which Protestants and Catholics were at war.
16 PHOTOS
Liam Neeson through the years
See Gallery
Irish actor Liam Neeson, circa 1987. (Photo by Nancy R. Schiff/Getty Images)
Liam Neeson up against a brick wall with fear in a scene from the film ‘Darkman’, 1990. (Photo by Universal Pictures/Getty Images)
Actor Liam Neeson on a courtroom scene from the thriller ‘Under Suspicion’, 1991. (Photo by Keith Hamshere/Getty Images)
Actress Natasha Richardson (L) and actor Liam Neeson arrive at the Tony Awards in New York June 6, 1993. Richardson was nominated for the award for leading actress in “Anna Christie” and Neeson for leading actor in the same play. REUTERS/Peter Morgan(UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARY)
ARGENTINA – AUGUST 01: ****EXCLUSIVE**** Actor Liam Neeson as O – Schindler in S.Spielberg’s film in Argentina on August 01, 1993. (Photo by Rafael WOLLMANN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
October 1995. (Photo by Thomas & Thomas/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
The director and stars of the new Warner Bros. film “Michael Collins” pose together at the film’s premiere October 8 in Beverly Hills. Shown (L-R) are director Neil Jordan, and actors Liam Neeson and Aidan Quinn. The film tells the real life story of Irish patriot Michael Collins, portrayed by Neeson, and his efforts to create a free and peaceful country.
Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson poses for photographs after receiving
his Order for the Britsh Empire (OBE) presented to him by Britain’s
Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, in London, October 29, 2002.
Neeson has starred in movies such as Star Wars and Schindler’s List.
REUTERS/John Stillwell
MD
Actor Liam Neeson and his wife, actress Natasha Richardson, pose for photographers as they arrive at the 30th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards dinner in Los Angeles January 13, 2005. Neeson won the association’s best actor award for his role in the film “Kinsey” in which he portrayed sex researcher Dr. Alfred Kinsey REUTERS/Fred Prouser FSP
Irish actor Liam Neeson (L) talks to a fan while signing autographs at the red carpet premier of his new film “Breakfast on Pluto” at the Toronto International Film Festival, September 10, 2005. REUTERS/J.P. Moczulski JPM/PN
Actress Natasha Richardson looks at her husband Liam Neeson as they arrive for the Conde Nast Traveler’s annual readers choice award show in New York City October 16, 2006. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)
Irish actor Liam Neeson poses for a portrait while promoting the film “Five Minutes of Heaven” at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)
Actor Liam Neeson arrives for a screening of the film “Five Minutes of Heaven” in New York August 11, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Cast member Liam Neeson signs autographs at the premiere of “The A-Team” at the Mann’s Grauman Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California June 3, 2010. The movie opens in the U.S. on June 11. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)
Cast member Liam Neeson poses on the red carpet before at a German preview of “The A-Team” at a cinema in Berlin July 29, 2010. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)
Cast member Liam Neeson arrives for the premiere of the film “The Next Three Days” in New York November 9, 2010. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES – Tags: ENTERTAINMENT HEADSHOT)
See Gallery
HIDE CAPTION
SHOW CAPTION
of
SEE ALL
BACK TO SLIDE
More from The Wrap:
‘Big Bang Theory’ star Johnny Galecki shows fans the hand in eye-catching tattoo pic (Photo)
Patton Oswalt defused a Twitter fight with a Trump fan with a surprise act of kindness
Jim Carrey takes on Covington students in new artwork: ‘baby snakes’
Let’s block ads! (Why?)
