Foxcatcher: Mark Schultz 'hates' Channing Tatum film and attacks director Bennett Miller for inaccurate portrayal of his character
The ex-wrestler is furious at the alleged misrepresentation of his personality
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Your support makes all the difference.Former wrestler Mark Schultz has attacked the director of new movie Foxcatcher, accusing him of “destroying his name and reputation”.
The Olympic world champion, now aged 54, is the subject of Bennett Miller’s Oscar-tipped biopic. But despite previously showing support for the film, Schultz has now called Miller “scum” and posted a series of tweets accusing him of portraying him wrongly.
Channing Tatum plays Schultz in Foxcatcher, alongside Mark Ruffalo as his brother Dave and Steve Carell as their eccentric multimillionaire sponsor John du Pont.
Schultz believes the film hints at a possible sexual affair between himself and du Pont, a convicted murderer who died in prison in 2010.
“The personalities and relationships between the characters in the film are primarily fiction and somewhat insulting,” he wrote in a lengthy Facebook post.
“Although Channing is outstanding, the personality is not accurate. However, I think Channing played me the only way it was possible to play me due to the confines of the director’s vision.”
After some earlier comments criticising Foxcatcher’s inaccuracy (see above), Schultz took to Twitter on Wednesday to launch a furious, capital letter tirade against the movie, which hits UK cinemas on 9 January.
Schultz's tweets have since been deleted, but were seen and published by Entertainment Weekly. You can read the string of messages below:
"I hate Bennett Miller. I hate everything that scum touches. Everything!!!"
"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."
"I can tolerate a lot of things but I don't tolerate disrespect. We're done Bennett."
"I built this house and I'll tear it down. You think I can't take you down coz ur a director. Watch me Bennett..."
"You think I'm going to sit back and watch you destroy my name and reputation I sweat blood for. You ain't seen nothing yet dude.
"You crossed the line Miller. We're done. You're career is over. You think I can't do it. Watch me."
Representatives for Foxcatcher, Miller and Tatum are yet to respond to our request for comment.
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