Matt Damon (sort of) apologizes for controversial diversity comments

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Matt Damon lost a ton of fans this week after a clip from the season 4 premiere of Project Greenlight showed him trying to explain the concept of diversity to a successful black female filmmaker.

Now, the Bourne Identity star has come forward to apologize for his epic display of white privilege. Sort of.

“My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of ‘Project Greenlight’ which did not make the show,” he said in a statement to TheWrap. “I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood.”

The “I’m happy I started a larger conversation” sentiment seems to be a popular approach in public apologies these days. Only time will tell if Damon can redeem himself to those who now see him as being grossly out of touch with socio-economic disparities and how they manifest in Hollywood.

See Damon’s full statement below.

I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It’s what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching “Project Greenlight” to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too.

My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of “Project Greenlight” which did not make the show. I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.

Project Greenlight airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.