‘Foxcatcher’ Subject Mark Schultz Apologizes for Criticism: “I Was Temporarily Insane”

The subject of the Oscar-nominated drama Foxcatcher appears to have had a change of heart.

Mark Schultz, played by Channing Tatum in the film, has posted a series of tweets in which he praises the film and apologizes for previously slamming it and director Bennett Miller. 

“I apologize to you before the world, Bennett,” Schultz tweeted Saturday, adding he felt “terrible” for how he had treated him. “Bennett Miller is the greatest director ever. 3rd time’s the charm. He’s due an Oscar.” Miller has previously been nominated for directing Capote and Moneyball.

Schultz wrote that the film is a “miracle” and that he regretted saying he hated it. “I think the problem I had was the context of the movie,” Schultz continued. “It’s what happened was so hard. My brother’s murder. My career ruined.”

The film focuses on Schultz and brother Dave‘s (Mark Ruffalo) relationship with wrestling coach John du Pont (Steve Carell), which ended in Dave’s death. On Thursday, it received five Oscar nominations, including best director for Miller and best actor for Carell.

Schultz praised Tatum’s performance and lamented that he wasn’t Oscar-nominated for the role. Schultz also offered this explanation for his previous tirade: “I was temporarily insane.”

This follows Schultz having blasted the film and Miller last month on social media. He labeled Miller a “punk,” “pussy” and “liar” and threatened to end his career.

Schultz was most upset that film critics had interpreted the film as suggesting there was a homosexual component to Schultz’s relationship with his coach. He also criticized a scene in which du Pont slaps his character.

Schultz’s tweets can be seen below.

Channing Tatum GOT ROBBED. HE WAS SO GOOD IT WAS UNREAL. I’m amazed he wasn’t nominated.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

Bennett Miller is the greatest director ever. 3rd time’s the charm. He’s due an oscar.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

I feel terrible about what I did to Bennett. I should have followed God, not man.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

Foxcatcher is going to help wrestling. There’s so many positives and no negatives. When I fought and Dave wasn’t there was so emotional

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

Everyone who saw #Foxcatcher loves it!

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

#Foxcatcher is a miracle. I’m sorry I said I hated it. I love it. I love my interpretation and will ignore the haters. I’m never getting mad

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

I think the problem I had was the context of the movie. It’s what happened was so hard. My brother’s murder. My career ruined.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

I apologize to you before the world Bennett. I’m sorry.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

I was temporarily insane.

— Mark Schultz (@MarkSchultzy) January 18, 2015

Email: Ryan.Gajewski@pgmedia.org
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski