The red carpet event for the "Cold Pursuit" was canceled hours before it was set to begin. The screening will still take place as planned. The cancellation follows the controversy sparked by the movie's lead. Liam Neeson has been promoting the film for the past few weeks. During his press run, the actor offered a shocking story during an interview published on Monday. He admitted to fantasizing about killing Black men after a loved one claimed to have been raped by someone of that demographic. The actor specified that this mindset was a part of a phase born out of anger that has subsided.
The public reaction was negative, which prompted him to address the matter again on Good Morning America where he clarified that he is not racist. Neeson's apology did not have the intended impact, however. Canceling the press event is most likely a way to contain the scandal by avoiding further inquiries into the matter.
Here is part of Neeson's awful testimony.
"I went up and down areas with a cosh, hoping I’d be approached by somebody – I’m ashamed to say that – and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some [Neeson gestures air quotes with his fingers] ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could... kill him."
