Brett Ratner steps down from Oscars over gay slur controversy

'Tower Heist' director is 'determined to learn from the experience'

Brett Ratner has resigned as producer of next year’s Oscar ceremony over his recent ‘gay slur’ controversy.

The Tower Heist director had been booked to put on the 2012 show, but hit the headlines this week for the wrong reasons. During a Q&A session for his film, he said that he did not believe in rehearsals because they are “for f**s”.

He later apologised for the comments, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) president Tom Sherak said while Ratner’s comments were “inappropriate” he would not have action from the Academy. However now, following widespread criticism and a dressing down from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), he has stepped down, according to Deadline.

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Ratner said in a statment:

Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents.

He added that he “deeply” regrets his actions and is “determined to learn from [the] experience”.

Sherak said in response: “He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself. Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent.”

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