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Viggo Mortensen is apologizing for using the n-word after a screening of his new film Green Book.
The 60-year-old actor was at Q & A for the potential Oscar contender – which deals with issues of racism and segregation – on Wednesday night in Los Angeles alongside his costar Mahershala Ali.
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In a statement to PEOPLE, Mortensen apologized for his choice of words, saying, "Last night I participated in a Q & A session moderated by Elvis Mitchell following a screening of Green Book in Los Angeles. In making the point that many people casually used the 'N' word at the time in which the movie takes place, in 1962, I used the full word. "
The train Lord of the Rings Actor clarified that "it is my intention to speak strongly against racism, that it is not right to even imagine that it is caused by hearing that word in any context, especially from a white man."
Mortensen also said he does not use the word in private or in public.
"I'm very sorry that I did not use it again," he said.
Green Book centers on Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class African-American pianist who goes on a concert tour, played by Ali. Tony Lip, played by Mortensen, in the face of racism and segregation in the Deep South.
Viggo Mortensen and Ali Mahershala in Green Book
Patti Perret / Universal
Mortensen said he took the role of the United States.
"One of the reasons I accepted the challenge of working on Peter Farrelly's movie Green Book was to expose ignorance and prejudice in the hope that our movie story might have changed in view of racial issues, "the actor explained.
"It's a beautiful, profound movie story that I'm very proud of," he added.
RELATED: Viggo Mortensen on Why He'd Never Attend the Oscars If He Was Not Nominated: 'It'd Seem Weird'
An audience member at the screening tweeted about the incident, writing, "Was at a screening for #GreenBook-The movie is amazing, but at the Q & A after Viggo Mortensen just dropped the N Word and the oxygen immediately left the room. #movies. "
Mortensen's comments come after a Netflix executive was fired for the word during a company meeting, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Megyn Kelly also apologized last month for asking if wearing blackface on Halloween was racist. The comments to the cancellation of her show and her attorney stating on Twitter that they and NBC were still negotiating her exit following the scandal.
Green Book opens Nov. 16.
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