After Controversial Interview, Calls For Liam Neeson To Be Digitally Removed from Men In Black Begin
After Liam Neeson’s controversial interview with British newspaper The Independent and a follow-up with Good Morning America, a number of people began to call for his character to be digitally removed from the upcoming Men in Black: International film.
A number of people took to Twitter to make it clear they want Neeson removed from Men in Black.
I really hope it’s not too late to digitally erase that racist fuck Liam Neeson from the new Men In Black movie
— No, My Name is Grizz (@fakecult) February 4, 2019
If they can magically de-age every actor in the MCU, they can digitally replace Liam Neeson in MIB and they should
— ᕱოᕱภᎠᕱ 🦖 (@bigbang) February 4, 2019
Others called for a boycott of the film.
So we boycotting #meninblack this year because of #LiamNeeson ? Just trying to be consistent
— Jason Johnson (@DrJasonJohnson) February 6, 2019
Uhm so we need to boycott MIB internacional bc Liam Neeson is racist?
— annie danvers ︽✵︽ (@hollandsffh) February 6, 2019
Some made light of the situation altogether.
Are we sure it’s a good idea to let Liam Neeson star in men in black 3? I’m mean the title alone just doesn’t suit him anymore.
— Alexander The Great (@AlexBoulden42) February 5, 2019
You can literally hear Liam Neeson evaporating from all the upcoming Men in Black International marketing.
— C-Sleepio (@OhThatsJustRich) February 5, 2019
Some even suggested Sony would hire Christopher Plummer to replace Liam Neeson. Plummer replaced Kevin Spacey in Ridley Scott’s [easyazon_link identifier=”B078JRX77T” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]All the Money in the World[/easyazon_link]. Spacey has been accused of sexual misconduct.
I guess Sony pictures will soon be hiring Christopher Plummer to replace Liam Neeson in the upcoming Men In Black reboot.#LiamNeeson
— Kent Tayler (@taylertoons) February 4, 2019
Christopher Plummer is currently reshooting Liam Neeson’s scenes in Men In Black International…. pic.twitter.com/Nt0543NFxe
— soapy pitts (@boosh71) February 4, 2019
All of this comes after an interview with The Independent during his press tour for the action-drama Cold Pursuit. During the interview, the British actor recounted a time in his youth where a close friend confided in him that she had been brutally raped by a black man. Neeson recalled his “primal” reaction to hearing this story.
“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.”
Neeson described his actions as horrible and that he did a learn a lesson from it.
“It was horrible, horrible, when I think back, that I did that. And I’ve never admitted that, and I’m saying it to a journalist. God forbid,” Neeson said. “It’s awful. But I did learn a lesson from it, when I eventually thought, ‘What the f*** are you doing,’ you know?”
As the firestorm grew, Liam Neeson clarified his statements in an appearance on Good Morning America. Neeson echoed that he wasn’t proud of his emotional reaction and the thoughts he had some 40 years ago. But he was candid in admitting that the race of the man who raped his friend wouldn’t have mattered.
“Oh definitely, if she had said an Irish, or a Scot, or a Brit, or a Lithuanian, I know I would have had the same effect. I was trying to show honor, to stand up for my dear friend in this terrible Medieval fashion. I’m a fairly intelligent guy and that’s why it kind of shocked me when it came down to Earth after having these horrible feelings. Luckily, no violence occurred ever. Thanks be to God.”
He did admit that he would have committed violence if he was set upon.
“Yes. Yes. That was my feeling that I did want to lash out. Yes. Because my friend was brutally raped and I thought I was defending her honor, and I admit that., and it’s a learning curve.”
Following Neeson’s appearance on Good Morning America, Lionsgate canceled the New York premiere of Cold Pursuit.
But with everything social media, the “outrage” might be more amplified online than in the average living room. Sexual assault is a terrible crime one that tends to bring outrage from those who felt helpless and unable to protect their loved ones. What do you think of Neeson’s comments? And should he even apologize for opening up about a dark period in his psyche?
Let me know your thoughts below!
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