Jason Statham has built up his image as the macho bloke who can run, jump, shoot and fight his way through any situation - even when faced with a gigantic shark.
But he's apparently got himself into a bit of strife after a person recorded an outburst he had at a producer on a movie set.
According to the Mirror, when the 50-year-old was working on 2015 thriller Wild Card, he had a heated argument with producing partner Steve Casman, where he allegedly repeatedly said 'fucking f*gs'.
R.J. Cipriani, a consultant on the film, is the man who recorded the exchange and two years after the film's release, he approached Statham to tell him that he had the audio file - however, to this day the actor still hasn't been allowed to listen to it for verification.
Advert
The actor has now released a statement to The Blast, saying: "Someone approached me claiming to have a tape of me using terms offensive to the LGBTQ community during a conversation I had with my producing partner, on a movie set.
"I have never heard the recording and my multiple requests to hear the recording have been refused. I have no recollection of making any of these offensive comments.
"However, let me be clear, the terms referenced are highly offensive.
"If I said these words, it was wrong and I deeply apologise. Anyone who knows me knows it doesn't reflect how I feel about the LGBTQ community. While I cannot fix what was said in the past, I can learn from it and do better in the future."
Advert
Interestingly, while the homophobic slur does not paint Statham in the best light if he did indeed utter it, it appears that Cipriani could find himself in hot water as well.
The film was shot in New Orleans, which has some very strict laws on what you can and can't do with someone's voice.
The state of Louisiana's Electronic Surveillance Act "bars the recording, interception, use or disclosure of any oral or telephonic communication by means of any mechanical or electronic device without the consent of at least one party to the conversation."
Funnily enough, one of Statham's biggest roles - in The Transporter - was apparently gay, according to the director Lou Leterrier.
He told the LA Times: "If you watch the movie and you know he's gay, it becomes so much more fun. It's so great - the first gay action movie hero!
"Action fans in general are pretty homophobic. You see these tough guys who say The Transporter, that's such a great movie! If they only knew they're really cheering for a new kind of action hero."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Celebrity, LGBT