Wrestler Portrayed in “Foxcatcher” Blasts Film
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Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Foxcatcher(NEW YORK) — In a series of angry tweets on New Year’s Eve, Mark Schultz, the former Olympic wrestler portrayed by Channing Tatum in the new drama Foxcatcher, blasted the film and its director, Bennett Miller.
The drama follows the relationship between Schultz, his brother, former wrestler-turned coach Dave Schultz and multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont, who is portrayed by Steve Carell. Mark Ruffalo plays Dave Schultz.
Mark Schultz is apparently taking issue with how the link between he and his former sponsor is portrayed on film. “Leaving the audience with a feeling that somehow there could have been a sexual relationship between duPont and I is a sickening and insulting lie,” the former athlete posted to Facebook Tuesday. “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.”
In a series of tweets Wednesday that he later deleted, Mark Schultz posted about the filmmaker, “YOU THINK I’M GOING TO SIT BACK AND WATCH YOU DESTROY MY NAME AND REPUTATION I SWEAT BLOOD FOR. YOU AINT’ SEEN NOTHING YET DUDE,” according to screen caps from Entertainment Weekly.
“Everything I’ve ever said positive about the movie I take back. I hate it. i hate it. i hate it. I hate it. i hate it. i hate it. I hate it.” Another read, “I hate Bennett Miller.”
Schultz later posted on Facebook, “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…”
The film is nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best motion picture. Carell and Ruffalo received Golden Globe nods for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively. The 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards will be handed out January 11.
Foxcatcher is currently in limited release.
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