The red carpet premiere for Liam Neeson’s new movie, Cold Pursuit, was canceled as controversy continues to surround the star after he revealed he once wanted to kill a Black man.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter that Tuesday’s premiere in New York City would continue but that a red carpet wouldn’t be appropriate.
In an interview Monday with The Independent, the actor said that years ago a friend told him she was raped by a Black man and that he wanted to carry out revenge by killing a random Black person.
“There’s something primal—God forbid you’ve ever had a member of your family hurt under criminal conditions,” he said. “I went up and down areas with a (crowbar), hoping I’d be approached by somebody—I’m ashamed to say that—and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could—kill him.”
Following the controversy, Neeson appeared on Good Morning America and said, “I’m not a racist.” Adding, "I was trying to show honor, to stand up for my dear friend in this terrible, medieval fashion. ... I am a fairly intelligent guy and that's why it kind of shocked me when I came down to earth after having these horrible feelings."
Neeson said he sought help from a priest and friends, and turned to exercise following the incident.
