Brett Ratner has resigned as the producer of the 2012 Oscars after using a gay slur in response to a question about his methods and procedures as a producer on film sets saying, “Rehearsal is for fags.”
In an open letter Ratner wrote, “Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I’ve hurt and offended, I’d like to apologize publicly and unreservedly.
“As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world.”
According to the BBC, Academy president, Tom Sherak said in a statement that Ratner was “a good person” who had made “unacceptable” comments.
“Words have meaning, and they have consequences,” he continued.
Ratner, whose films include Rush Hour and Red Dragon, was appointed as a co-producer of the 2012 Academy Awards in August. One of his first acts was to recruit Eddie Murphy, the star of his most recent film Tower Heist, to be its presenter.
Eddie Murphy has since announced his resignation as host of the Academy Awards broadcast and Brian Grazer has been chosen to fill Ratner’s position as producer of the show.
