Director Shane Black has apologised for casting a convicted sex offender in The Predator.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Black gave his friend Steven Wilder Striegel, a registered sex offender, a small part in the sci-fi film, which led to widespread controversy.
When the film's leading actress Olivia Munn discovered the news, she reported it to 20th Century Fox, who then removed the scene featuring Striegel. Striegel's victim has since come forward to thank Munn.
While it has taken some time for the cast and crew to come out and support Munn's stance on the issue, Black has now issued an apology via the Associated Press.
He said he's "deeply sorry" for making the decision.
"I made an error in judgment that's irresponsible — I'm not just a kid," said Black.
"I was the captain of that ship — it's my job to make sure that those things don't happen. And I failed. And I may have, I did cause pain to people in the cast. That's unacceptable. I take full responsibility. I am very deeply sorry."
Black went on to express his regret at casting Striegel in the movie, and how it ultimately led to controversy that has dominated the press in the build up to its theatrical release.
"It really bothers me that this movie, which could have been these beautiful people on a beautiful night with only this, has been overshadowed in some ways by a stupid decision that I made," he said.
The Predator arrives in UK cinemas September 14.
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