The red carpet premiere for Liam Neeson’s new movie, Cold Pursuit, didn’t go as planned.
Just one day after the actor told U.K. paper The Independent he walked the streets years ago, hoping to kill a “Black bastard” after a close friend said she was raped by a Black man — the film’s scheduled red carpet event was canceled on Tuesday night.
The Lionsgate-produced action thriller premiered at New York City’s AMC Loews Lincoln Square as intended, but a source familiar with the situation told The Hollywood Reporter that a glitzy red carpet event wouldn’t have been “appropriate under the circumstances.”
This development comes as another blow to Neeson, who has faced widespread backlash since his comments were went viral on Monday.
Read More: Liam Neeson’s Story About Wanting to Kill a ‘Black Bastard’ Angers Fans
The 66-year-old actor, who was born in Northern Ireland, is now facing backlash on social media for his comments.
He tried to clarify his comments during a Tuesday appearance on Good Morning America. Speaking with GMA’s Robin Roberts, he said his desire for revenge unnerved him and he has now changed.
“I went out deliberately into Black areas in the city, looking to be set upon so that I could unleash physical violence. I did it maybe four or five times,” he told Roberts. “It shocked me and it hurt me.”
Neeson said he eventually sought help to address his violent thoughts, adding: “I went to a priest, I had my confession. I was reared Catholic. Believe it or not, power walking [helped], two hours every day to get rid of this.”
“I’m not racist,” he insisted. “This was nearly 40 years ago.”
Still, some fans on social media disagreed and vowed to avoid his movies in the future. The actor’s new film Cold Pursuit opens Friday.
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