Actor Sam Elliott has apologised for criticising the Oscar-winning film The Power Of The Dog.
The actor stoked controversy earlier this year during an interview with Marc Maron's WTF podcast by questioning the "allusions of homosexuality" in the Netflix film and compared the movie’s characters to Chippendales dancers who "wear bowties and not much else".
Elliott did praise The Power Of The Dog director Jane Campion, but added: "What the f*** does this woman from down there [New Zealand] know about the American west?
"Why the f*** did she shoot this movie in New Zealand and call it Montana? And say this is the way it was? That f***ing rubbed me the wrong way."
However, the actor has issued an apology for his strong words.
Speaking at Deadline’s Contenders TV event, he said, "I told the WTF podcaster that I thought Jane Campion was a brilliant director, and I want to apologize to the cast of The Power Of The Dog, brilliant actors all. And in particular Benedict Cumberbatch. I can only say that I’m sorry and I am. I am."
He added: "First, don’t do a podcast with the call letters WTF," saying that the movie "struck a chord with me" and wanted to discuss "how I felt about the film" with Maron.
Elliott has also apologised to the gay community for his comments. "I wasn’t very articulate about it. I didn’t articulate it very well," he said. "And I said some things that hurt people and I feel terrible about that.
"The gay community has been incredible to me my entire career. And I mean my entire career, from before I got started in this town. Friends on every level and every job description up until today. I’m sorry I hurt any of those friends and someone that I loved. And anyone else by the words that I used."
Following his initial comments, a number of those involved responded to Elliott’s words, including
Campion was among those who reacted to Elliott’s initial comments, saying, "I’m sorry, he was being a little bit of a B-I-T-C-H. He’s not a cowboy; he’s an actor. The West is a mythic space and there’s a lot of room on the range. I think it’s a little bit sexist.
"When you think about the number of amazing Westerns made in Spain by [director] Sergio Leone. I consider myself a creator. I think he thinks of me as a woman or something lesser first, and I don’t appreciate that."
Cumberbatch and fellow star Kodi Smit-McPhee also addressed the actor’s comments, the former calling them "very odd".
The Power Of The Dog was nominated for 12 Oscars at the recent ceremony, taking home with Best Director for Campion.
