John Travolta Thanks His “Pelham 123” Colleagues for Giving Him Time to Heal

With the opening of The Taking of Pelham 123 just days away, John Travolta has taken to his personal website to thank his coworkers on the film for allowing him to pull out of the massive promotional campaign.

Typically in the weeks before an opening, Travolta would be traveling the country doing dozens of TV appearances, newspaper and magazine interviews, press junkets, personal appearances, and a red carpet premiere.

It’s a non-stop grind that’s a required part of opening a big budget film.

But John and his wife Kelly Preston are still reeling from the heartbreaking accidental death of their son 16-year-old son Jett last January.

On his official website, Travolta.com, the actor writes to his fans:

The Taking of Pelham 123 from Sony Pictures is scheduled to be released on June 12, 2009.

“It was a labor of love to work on this film with the producers Todd Black, Steve Tisch and Jason Blumenthal, the director Tony Scott, and fellow cast members Denzel Washington, Luis Guzman, John Turturro and James Gandolfini.

“Tony gave me the freedom to define, and then to become, the ultimate evil mastermind.

“This role as an actor gave me the chance to dispense with all moral and ethical limitations, and explore just how bad this character could really be.

“I believe you will like the result.

“Tony, Denzel, Luis, John, James and Sony Pictures stepped up without hesitation to help promote this wonderful film, and their unselfish efforts have allowed my family the additional time to reconcile our loss.”

John signed the message:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“With love, John.”