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David O. Russell Apologizes For Comparing Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games Role to Slavery

David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence
American Hustle director David O. Russell apologized Tuesday, Jan. 14 for comparing Jennifer Lawrence's Hunger Games role to 12 Years a Slave

It's time to apologize! American Hustle director David O. Russell knew his recent comments about Jennifer Lawrence's hard-working ways would land him in hot water — which is why he apologized Tuesday, Jan. 14 for comparing her commitment to the Hunger Games franchise to slavery.

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"Clearly, I used a stupid analogy in a poor attempt at humor," he told the MailOnline. "I realized it the minute I said it and I am truly sorry."

Russell, who attended the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts Awards in West Hollywood Friday night, responded to a reporter's question regarding the star's work ethic promoting Catching Fire and shooting Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2: "I’ll tell you about that girl. Talk about 12 Years a Slave! That’s what the franchise is," he said with a laugh.

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"I’m going to get in so much trouble for saying it but being in The Hunger Games, they just keep her on a hamster wheel," he continued Friday in his interview. "And then she comes and takes her vacation — because she wants to do original roles — spends her vacation on American Hustle," said Russell.

Luckily, Lawrence's work on Russell's film paid off at Sunday night's Golden Globes: the 23-year-old star picked up an award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture. "I don't know why it's so terrifying," she said at the podium. "It's obviously a good thing. I'm sorry I'm shaking so much! Don't ever do this again!" The blonde comedic star also hit the stage later that night when American Hustle won a Globe for Best Picture in a Musical/Comedy.

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Russell, who also worked with Lawrence on her Oscar-winning role in the Silver Linings Playbook, told Us Weekly Friday what the star really thought about kissing Christian Bale in American Hustle: "'I finally get to make out with Christian Bale and he's a really fat guy,'" the director recalled Lawrence saying during filming. "'He's Fatman, not Batman.'"

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