Egyptian broadcaster Bassem Youssef revealed that he was excluded from participating in the upcoming superhero film "Superman: Legacy," directed by James Gunn, due to his support for Palestine and his criticism of the Israeli occupation in an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan during the "Uncensored" program last October.
The Egyptian media figure, who resides in the United States, explained in an interview with Salon magazine: "I felt a bit bitter about losing the role, and I was very sad. Why, in the United States, can you talk about Joe Biden, and you can talk about Donald Trump, but you cannot criticize someone, a foreign government? It's very sad."
He added: "That's why they told me, after I was already selected for the film 'Superman': we have changed the script, after the Piers Morgan interview. I want to assume good intentions; I want to know, I want to believe this is true."
He continued: "I felt bitterness, and I wanted to leave, but then I realized, and I understand the emotional burden that these people carry; I mean, these people have connections to Israel." He explained: "If I were an Arab Muslim and the head of Warner Brothers, I wouldn't want a Zionist to participate in my film if he attacked my country, even though when I attacked Israel and its policies, I did not attack the Jews at that time."
For his part, American director James Gunn confirmed the exclusion of Bassem Youssef from the cast of the superhero film slated to be released next year due to his support for the Palestinian cause.
