David O. Russell Apologizes For Comparing Jennifer Lawrence's "Hunger Games" Schedule to Slavery

"I am truly sorry."

Image via PacificCoastNews/AO Images

American Hustle director David O. Russell has issued an apology today, after quotes in which he compared Jennifer Lawrence's The Hunger Games filming schedule to slavery surfaced on the web last night. 

The statements, in case you missed them, were made at the Australian Academy’s AACTA Awards in LA to the New York Daily News' Confidenti@l: "I personally think they should give her a bit of breathing room over there because they’re printing money...but she’s a very alive person," he said. "I’ll tell you what it is about that girl — talk about 12 years of slavery, that’s what the franchise is. And I’m going to get in so much trouble for saying that."

In other words: Yikes. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Russell released the following apology for the comments: 

None

Russell has worked with Lawrence twice: Once his 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook, and again in 2013's American Hustle.

[via The Hollywood Reporter]

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