Now that “Foxcatcher” is a five-time Oscar nominee, the subject of the film, Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz, has renounced his previous criticisms of the project and director Bennett Miller. “I feel terrible about what I did to Bennett,” Schultz wrote on Twitter. “I should have followed God, not man.”
Last year, Schultz used his social media accounts to blast “Foxcatcher” (“I hate it”) and Miller himself. “I HATE BENNETT MILLER,” Schultz wrote in tweets that have since been deleted. “I HATE EVERYTHING THAT SCUM TOUCHES. EVERYTHING!!!” In a Facebook post, the Gold-medal winning wrestler wrote he took issue with the film’s apparent inference that there could have been a sexual relationship between Schultz and John du Pont (Steve Carell), the millionaire schizophrenic who backed Schultz and ultimately murdered Schultz’s brother. “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 du Pont and I is a sickening and insulting lie.” (The Facebook post was soon edited to remove that section and later deleted.)
Schultz later apologized for the “harshness” of his language, but stood by the sentiments expressed. Over the course of several tweets this past weekend, however, Schultz praised “Foxcatcher,” its performers (especially Channing Tatum, who plays Schultz in the film and was not nominated for an Oscar) and the future impact it could have on the sport of wrestling.
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
#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
According to The Daily Beast, Schultz also wrote that he was “temporarily insane,” but that tweet has since been deleted.
“Foxcatcher” scored Oscar nominations for Best Director (Miller), Best Actor (Carell), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), Best Original Screenplay (E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman) and Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling.
