Hollywood stalwart James Woods recently revealed his stealth role in the production of an acclaimed film during an engaging interview.
In a candid discussion with Megyn Kelly, James Woods disclosed that he downplayed his executive producer presence in Oppenheimer to dodge potential political backlash influenced by his support for Donald Trump, as Mediaite reports.
The actor spoke on SiriusXM’s Megyn Kelly Show, reflecting on his decision to keep a low profile during the film’s awards season to enhance its success chances. Amid a significant slowdown in his acting career with no live-action roles since 2017, Woods remains a vocal Trump supporter on his robust Twitter platform.
Woods’ revelations include his experience of being dropped by his agent on July 4, which was justified as a "patriotic" act due to the actor's political views. This incident underscores the sharp division within Hollywood that Woods critiqued during the interview.
He gained the executive producer role in the aforementioned film by securing the rights to American Prometheus, a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, which served as a basis for Christopher Nolan's screenplay.
Cognizant of the contentious political landscape, Woods consciously chose to recede from the limelight. He stated he intended to shield the film and its crew from any adverse effects his controversial political stance might attract.
Woods explained his rationale for staying out of the spotlight, emphasizing his wish to avoid jeopardizing the film's team with potential controversies stemming from his political position. He noted, "I just don’t know why there’s this vicious underlying cancer that has destroyed our business."
His efforts seemed to embody extreme pragmatism and a protective stance towards the creative team and project.
Despite these challenges, Oppenheimer succeeded immensely, earning critical acclaim and snagging the Best Picture award at the Oscars, a ceremony Woods attended, albeit only quietly acknowledging his role.
Reflecting on his approach, the actor admitted the personal pain of remaining "invisible" during such a pivotal moment in his career. He remarked on the ironical nature of being invisible yet crucial -- a paradox not lost on those aware of his deep involvement.
On Kelly’s show, Woods expressed his silent contribution: "I don’t want to deprive those people. I don’t want to have some nutcase come out of the woodwork and fabricate some ridiculous story about me -- I’ve had a million of them said, they’re all lies -- I don’t want that to happen and have the clickbait story be, ‘James Woods is the executive producer, we’re not going to watch that movie!’"
Adding insult to injury, Woods also recounted how political bias within Hollywood's circles affected personal and professional relationships, purporting a culture of intolerance toward differing political views.
Despite the adversities, Woods remains undeterred in his creative pursuits, having announced plans to produce a film for famed director Oliver Stone, hinting at continued involvement in the industry perhaps on terms more aligned with his outspoken political views.
The Oppenheimer creation saga, as disclosed by James Woods, casts a long shadow on the interplay between politics and entertainment, spotlighting the complexities artists navigate in their careers based on personal beliefs. This story serves as a mirror reflecting the ongoing political polarization impacting various professional sectors, artistic integrity, and freedom of expression.
