Adam Sandler has defended his forthcoming Netflix comedy The Ridiculous Six, saying that the recent protests by Native American extras were a “misunderstanding”.
Speaking at the premiere of Pixels, Sandler told Associated Press that the controversy was “just a misunderstanding and once the movie is out will be cleared up”. AP also reported Sandler as saying the film is “100% pro-American Indian”.
The Ridiculous Six is the first of Sandler’s four-film deal with Netflix, and is clearly intended to be a spoof of traditional westerns, with a title playing on The Magnificent Seven. However, it was hit with protests in April when a group of extras walked off the set after objecting to a series of gags on taste grounds and that the portrayal of Native Americans was inaccurate. Claims also emerged that makeup was being used to make actors’ skin look darker.
Sandler also told Screen Crush that The Ridiculous Six is a “pro-Indian movie”. he said: “I talked to some of the actors on the set who were there and let them know that the intention of the movie is 100% to just make a funny movie.”
He continued: “It’s really about American Indians being good to my character and […] just being good people. There’s no mocking of American Indians at all in the movie. It’s a pro-Indian movie. So hopefully when people see it – whoever was offended on set and walked out – I hope they realise that, and that’s it. It was kinda taken out of context.”
The Ridiculous Six is due to be premiered on Netflix on 11 December.
