‘Green Book’ Writer Apologizes As Production Company Condemns His Anti-Muslim Tweet

It seems to be bad news after bad news for “Green Book” in recent weeks. As the film is coming off a triumphant night at the Golden Globes ceremony, the film has hit a decidedly rough patch in recent days with news resurfacing about director Peter Farrelly exposing himself to colleagues and the conspiracy theory tweet from writer Nick Vallelonga. While Farrelly has already come forward with an apology, it would appear that the writer has finally decided to release one of his own.

READ MORE: Director Peter Farrelly Apologizes Following Report Of Exposing Himself To Cameron Diaz

For those that don’t remember the original story, Vallelonga tweeted a now-deleted tweet (well, his whole Twitter account was deleted) that backed up a debunked conspiracy theory that Donald Trump had pushed saying that Muslim people were celebrating after the towers fell on 9/11. Obviously, people were outraged that the man who wrote a script about racial equality and acceptance would promote such a terrible idea.

Participant Media, the company behind the Golden Globe-winning film, released a statement (via Deadline), saying, “We find Mr. Vallelonga’s Twitter post offensive, dangerous, and antithetical to Participant Media’s values. We reject it in no uncertain terms.”

This led to Vallelonga, himself, finally releasing an apology for his tweet:

“I want to apologize. I spent my life trying to bring this story of overcoming differences and finding common ground to the screen, and I am incredibly sorry to everyone associated with Green Book. I especially deeply apologize to the brilliant and kind Mahershala Ali, and all members of the Muslim faith, for the hurt I have caused. I am also sorry to my late father who changed so much from Dr. Shirley’s friendship and I promise this lesson is not lost on me. Green Book is a story about love, acceptance and overcoming barriers, and I will do better.”

READ MORE: ‘Green Book’ Director Talks Harshest Criticisms: “I’m Afraid I’m Going To Have PTSD”

With the timing of this controversy, combined with the recent Peter Farrelly/Cameron Diaz news, it would appear that the Oscar hopes for “Green Book” seem to be drastically altered. As a film that was coming into this time of year with an awards season filled with recognition, these news items seem to be timed perfectly (or terribly, if you work on the film) as we are in the middle of Oscar ballot time, right now.

We’ll have to see if the Academy is able to forgive Vallelonga in time for the official voting to end. Otherwise, the upcoming Oscar ceremony could be a very quiet time for the folks behind “Green Book.”