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Mark Schultz apologizes for 'harsh' Foxcatcher tweets

Written by . Published: January 03 2015

Olympian Mark Schultz has apologized for "the harshness of my language" in relation to a series of angry tweets about new movie Foxcatcher and director Bennett Miller.


The wrestling champion, who is portrayed by Channing Tatum in the film, took issue with Miller's movie about his links to wrestling manager John du Pont in correspondence posted on social media earlier this week (beg29Dec14).


Schultz took aim at the director for refusing to axe scenes that suggested he and du Pont, played by Steve Carell, were intimate, stating, "I told Bennett Miller to cut that scene out and he said it was to give the audience the feeling that du Pont was encroaching on your privacy and personal space. I wasn't explicit so I didn't have a problem with it. Then after reading 3 or 4 reviews interpreting it sexually, and jeopardizing my legacy, they need to have a press conference to clear the air, or I will."


He ended his tirade by stating, "YOU CROSSED THE LINE MILLER. WE'RE DONE. YOU'RE (sic) CAREER IS OVER. YOU THINK I CAN'T DO IT. WATCH ME... YOU THINK I'M GOING TO SIT BACK AND WATCH YOU DESTROY MY NAME AND REPUTATION... YOU AINT' SEEN NOTHING YET DUDE... I CAN TOLERATE A LOT OF THINGS BUT I DON'T TOLERATE DISRESPECT. WE'RE DONE BENNETT."


Schultz, who was a consultant on the movie, has now apologized for his social media outburst, writing, "My story and my life are real. I am a real human being. While I may have tweeted out of anger, I in no way regret standing up for myself, nor do I regret calling out the only other man who has had decision making power concerning my image and legacy these past years.


"I apologize for the harshness of my language, but I am firm in where I stand. I will gladly go to any lengths to protect and safeguard the integrity and truth of my story, my life, my character and my legacy. If that's not worth fighting over while I'm still alive, I don't know what is."


Schultz reveals he is "under contract to support the movie until the Oscars", but he has plans to reveal "the truth" to newswoman Katie Couric afterward.

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