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Arts & Entertainment

Matt Damon Is Kind Of Sorry For His Comments On Diversity In Hollywood

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Matt Damon says he's sorry you're mad at his disappointing comments on diversity in Hollywood, but also says he's "happy" to be of service.

In a clip from the most recent episode of Project Greenlight that has made the rounds, Damon "whitesplains" to producer Effie Brown that Hollywood's diversity problem should be left only to the casting of a film, not actually who goes behind the camera and makes decisions. Here's that clip again if you needed a new reason to be mad at Matt Damon since Elysium:

Matt Damon speaking over the only black person in the room so he can explain diversity to her is SO WHITE it hurts pic.twitter.com/iaQStYZ0ij

— Glen Coco (@MrPooni) September 14, 2015

In response to the backlash, Matt Damon issued the following statement:

I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It's what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching 'Project Greenlight' to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too. My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of 'Project Greenlight' which did not make the show. I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.

So there you have it: Matt Damon's is falling back on the ol' reliable "taken out of context" defense and also patting himself on the back for "starting a conversation." Thanks, Matt.
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