"Foxcatcher" wrestler Mark Schultz slams film, director Bennett Miller
Mark Schultz, the former Olympic wrestler whose life inspired the Oscar hopeful "Foxcatcher," has lashed out online about the film and its director, Bennett Miller.
On his Twitter and Facebook pages, Schultz expressed dissatisfaction with how he's portrayed in the movie, which tells the story of him, his brother David and their relationship with his coach and benefactor, millionaire John du Pont (played by Steve Carell).
"#Foxcatcher couldn't have portrayed me more inaccurately if they tried," he tweeted on Dec. 21.
Schultz also unleashed a series of harsh tweets about the film and Miller on Wednesday, that were later deleted. According to The Hollywood Reporter, those messages included, "I HATE BENNETT MILLER," "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" and "YOU CROSSED THE LINE MILLER. WE'RE DONE. YOU'RE CAREER IS OVER. YOU THINK I CAN'T DO IT. WATCH ME."
On Facebook, he posted a message contesting details of the film he calls inaccurate, including one scene that he believes suggests a sexual relationship between him and du Pont.
"The personalities and relationships between the characters in the film are primarily fiction and somewhat insulting," Schultz wrote. "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."
"I told Bennett Miller to cut that scene out and he said it was to give the audience the feeling that duPont was encroaching on your privacy and personal space. I wasn't explicit so I didn't have a problem with it," he continued. "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."
Channing Tatum plays Schultz in the movie, while Mark Ruffalo plays his brother. The film has been nominated for Golden Globe, SAG and Critics' Choice awards.