Producer Backtracks After Calling John Cusack Prima-Donna
April 25th, 2008
Paul Leydon, an Australian film producer who accused Hollywood actor John Cusack of being a "prima-donna", has recalled his disparaging comments about the star, saying that his remarks were "misconstrued" and revealing that he didn’t know he was being recorded.
"John Cusack was one of my favourite actors until I met him," Leyden originally told an Australian radio station.
"I have to say one thing – and this is my favorite line when people ask me what I think of John Cusack – he plays nice guys on film. So, read between the lines."
However, Leydon has been forced to backpeddle after his comments wound up as headlines, and has issued an apology, saying that his remarks had been "lost in translation".
"I feel terrible that I’ve said something about someone I have absolute admiration and respect for," he said.
"It was said in a jovial way and I’ve been misconstrued. I’m honoured to have met him and that he’s in this film. I was joking around."
The radio station stands by their interview, with the announcer, Meshel Laurie, telling Brisbane newspaper The Courier Mail, "We were recording… and he volunteered the information."
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Photo courtesy of First Look Pictures.
