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Viggo Mortensen recalls what he did after receiving an Oscan nomination for ‘Captain Fantastic.’

Actor Viggo Mortensen waves to fans as he arrives ahead of the screening of “Green Book” during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP) ORG XMIT: CKL102(Photo: Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Viggo Mortensen has apologized for using a racial slur during a panel discussion about his new film “Green Book.”

Mortensen, who is white, appeared Wednesday at the event with his co-star, Mahershala Ali, and director Peter Farrelly.

Mortensen told The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday he was making the point that many people casually used the slur in 1962, when the movie takes place. He says he had “no right to even imagine the hurt that is caused by hearing the word in any context.” He says he intended to “speak strongly against racism” and is sorry he used the word.

In “Green Book,” Mortensen’s character is hired to drive an African-American pianist on a concert tour in the South.

The movie is due in theaters later this month.

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