Liam Neeson’s film premiere canceled after controversial comments

Liam Neeson poses for photographers upon his arrival at the premiere of the film 'Hunt For The Wilderpeople' in London on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Liam Neeson says he had violent thoughts some time ago about killing a black person after learning that someone close to him had been raped. The Northern Ireland-born actor says that after being told the attacker was black he “went up and down areas with a" stick or truncheon hoping a black person "would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him.” (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, file)

NEW YORK — The premiere of Liam Neeson’s newest film has been abruptly canceled amid fallout from the actor’s comments about decades-old thoughts he had about killing a black person.

Organizers of the New York premiere of “Cold Pursuit” informed reporters of the cancellation Tuesday afternoon, a couple hours before it was supposed to start.

The cancellation comes hours after Neeson appeared on “Good Morning America” to address his comments, telling interviewer Robin Roberts that he is not a racist. He was quoted in an interview by the Independent on Monday describing his violent thoughts about killing a black person nearly 40 years ago after learning that someone close to him had been raped.

The actor told Roberts discussion talk about these things is needed because bigotry and racism exist.