Chastain believes that her 'Martian' co-star was 'manipulated' by Weinstein amid allegations that the actor pressured journalist to kill her investigation.
- Oct 12, 2017
AceShowbiz - Jessica Chastain weighed in on the accusations that Matt Damon helped cover up Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment allegations. "I believe that Matt was manipulated. I've spent time with him on The Martian and he's a really good guy," she wrote on Twitter.
I believe that Matt was manipulated. I've spent time with him on The Martian and he's a really good guy. https://t.co/waTdWDJjlw
â Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 10, 2017
Damon, along with fellow actor Russell Crowe, allegedly pressured journalist Sharon Waxman to kill her reporting that could have exposed Weinstein years ago. The "Jason Bourne" actor was quick to react to the rumors, vehemently denying them.
In an interview with Deadline, Damon admitted to calling the journalist at Weinstein's request but insisted that he didn't know about the producer's misconducts. "My recollection was that it was about a one minute phone call. Harvey had called me and said, 'they're writing a story about [Miramax's Italian headd] Fabrizio [Lombardo],' who I knew from The Talented Mr. Ripley," he explained. "Harvey said, 'Sharon Waxman is writing a story about Fabrizio and it's really negative. Can you just call and tell her what your experience with Fabrizio was.' So I did, and that's what I said to her."
He continued, "I just remember it being a negative piece, a hit job on Fabrizio, was what Harvey was saying. Basically, that he had no professional experience. Harvey said, 'you worked with him. Can you tell her that he was a professional and you had a good experience,' and that was it. I didn't mind doing it, because that was all true."
"Look, even before I was famous, I didn't abide this kind of behavior. But now, as the father of four daughters, this is the kind of sexual predation that keeps me up at night. This is the great fear for all of us," the 47-year-old star went on.
"We know this stuff goes on in the world. I did five or six movies with Harvey. I never saw this. I think a lot of actors have come out and said, everybody's saying we all knew. That's not true," he said. "This type of predation happens behind closed doors, and out of public view."
"If there was ever an event that I was at and Harvey was doing this kind of thing and I didn't see it, then I am so deeply sorry, because I would have stopped it. And I will peel my eyes back now, father than I ever have, to look for this type of behavior. Because we know that it happens. I feel horrible for these women and it's wonderful they have this incredible courage and are standing up now."
"We can all feel this change that's happening, which is necessary and overdue. Men are a huge part of that change, and we have to be vigilant and we have to help protect and call this stuff out because we have our sisters and our daughters and our mothers. This kind of stuff can't happen. This morning, I just feel absolutely sick to my stomach."
