Ennio Morricone denies calling Quentin Tarantino a "moron"

UPDATEEnnio Morricone denied having participated in an interview with Playboy Germany in which he would have described Quentin Tarantino as a "moron" whose films are "trashy". Read his full statement in which he praises Tarantino and threatens lawsuits with Playboy Germany:

It was brought to my attention that Playboy Germany had published an article in which I had made extremely negative comments about Tarantino and his films, as well as about the Academy. I have never made a negative statement about the Academy, Quentin or his films – and I certainly do not consider his films as garbage. I gave my lawyer in Italy a mandate to take civil and criminal measures.

I consider Tarantino as an excellent director. I like very much my collaboration with him and the relationship we developed during the time we spent together. He is brave and has a huge personality. I acknowledge that our collaboration is responsible for obtaining my Oscar, which is certainly one of the greatest thanks of my career, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to compose music for his film.

In London, at a press conference in front of Tarantino, I made it clear that I considered Quentin one of the greatest directors of the day, and that I would never speak badly of the Academy – an important institution which gave me two of the most important recognitions of my career.

Ennio Morricone

Playboy Germany has not yet responded to requests for comment.

EARLIER: Ennio Morricone still has a mixed view of Quentin Tarantino, with whom he collaborated on "The Hateful Eight" – and eventually won a competitive Academy Award. The famous composer called the filmmaker in a new interview with Playboy Germany, whose translation (courtesy of Google) gives an unflattering glimpse: Morricone has called Tarantino "cretin" whose films are "trash".

"This man is a moron," said Morricone. "He steals the others and brings them together again. There is nothing original about it. And he's not a director either. This is not comparable to the real big names in Hollywood like John Huston, Alfred Hitchbad or Billy Wilder. They were great. Tarantino just cooks old stuff. He then admits that he is not a fan of Tarantino's films, calling them "trashy"; Tarantino was present when Morricone received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in February 2016.

Part of the problem comes from their working relationship: "He calls from nowhere and then wants to have a finished movie score in a few days, which is impossible. What drives me crazy! Said Morricone. "Because it's just not possible. And I do not go there anymore. I told him that last time. But next time, I'll be hard. Then he can kiss me. "

Among the best known scores of the Italian composer are "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", "Days of Heaven" and "Once Upon a Time in the West" among many others. Today marks his 90th birthday.

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