Keira Knightley Director Apologizes For 'Petty, Mean And Hurtful' Insults
Jun. 1 2016, Published 8:50 p.m. ET
The director who slammed Keira Knightley for problems on the set of Begin Again has apologized for his "petty, mean and hurtful" comments in a statement released today. Click through the gallery to see John Carney beg for forgiveness after ripping into the British beauty.
2014 Tribeca Film Festival – Closing Night Gala Premiere Of “Begin Again”
Carney, the director of the 2013 movie Begin Again, previously said, "It's hard being a film actor and it requires a certain level of honesty and self-analysis that I don't think she's ready for yet." He also blamed her for the problems on set: "Keira has an entourage that follows her everywhere so it's very hard to get any real work done."
The backlash was swift, with other directors who have worked with Knightley chiming in to sing her praises. Lynn Shelton, who directed her in Say When, wrote, "Working with #KeiraKnightley was magnificent, top to bottom. She is the real deal. #Knightleylove." Director Mark Romaneck slammed Carney on his Twitter accounting, writing, "My experience with #keiraknightley was utterly spectacular on every level. I have no clue what this guy is talking about.#arrogantsh*thead."
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Carney then apologized to Knightley on June 1, 2016, writing a note on his Twitter account, "From a director who feels like a complete idiot." He explained that during a phone interview, "I said a number of things about Keira which were petty, mean and hurtful. I'm ashamed of myself that I could say such things and I've been trying to account for what they say about me."
Celebrity Sightings in New York City – April 2, 2016
The Begin Again director continued his mea culpa: "In trying to pick holes in my own work, I ended up blaming someone else. That's not only by directing, that's shoddy behaviour, that I am not in any way proud of. It's arrogant and disrespectful."
Celebrity Sightings in New York City – March 21, 2016
Carney backtracked on his rant against Knightley, writing, "Keira was nothing but professional and dedicated during that film and she contributed hugely to its success. I wrote to Keira personally to apologise, but I wanted to publicly, and unreservedly apologize to her fans and friends and anyone else who I have offended."
“Begin Again” New York Premiere
During the original interview, Carney had commended Knightley's male co-stars, saying, "Mark Ruffalo is a fantastic actor and Adam Levine is a joy to work with and actually quite unpretentious and not a bit scared of exposing himself on camera and exploring who he is as an individual. I think that that's what you need as an actor; you need to not be afraid to find out who you really are when the camera's rolling."
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Carney ended his apology without an excuse and said that he will not make the same comments in the future: "It's not something that I could ever justify, and will never repeat." Should Keira forgive John for his "petty, mean and hurtful" comments? Sound off in comments below.