Scott Rudin and Amy Pascal issued apologies after a private email exchange was leaked as part of the Sony hack in which Rudin calls Angelina Jolie a “spoiled brat.”

Private Emails Between Scott Rudin And Amy Pascal Leaked

The Sony hack continues to cause even more troubles for the studio, as private emails between Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chair Pascal and producer Scott Rudin (Captain Phillips, Moneyball) were published on Gawker on Tuesday. The emails painted the picture of a longstanding feud between Rudin and Pascal, and included ridiculous statements, such as Rudin’s rant against Angelina Jolie, calling her a “spoiled brat.”

The lengthy email exchange shows Rudin, known in the industry for being a prominent – and volatile – producer, arguing with Pascal over a conflict surrounding the delayed production of Jobs, the Steve Jobs biopic from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Rudin was adamant that the film, which has suffered many setbacks over the past year, including the departure of its star, Christian Bale, be directed by David Fincher. The problem, according to Rudin, was Angelina Jolie, who wanted Fincher to direct her in a potential blockbuster version of Cleopatra, which, coincidentally, Rudin hates.

“I’m not remotely interested in presiding over a $180m ego bath that we both know will be the career-defining debacle for us both. I’m not destroying my career over a minimally talented spoiled brat who thought nothing of shoving this off her plate for eighteen months so she could go direct a movie. I have no desire to be making a movie with her, or anybody, that she runs and that we don’t. She’s a camp event and a celebrity and that’s all and the last thing anybody needs is to make a giant bomb with her that any fool could see coming,” Rudin wrote.

Right before the Sony hack, it was announced that Sony had lost the Jobs project, which was then bought by Universal.

Jolie isn’t the only woman trashed by Rudin. Months later, Rudin wrote an email lamenting a meeting with producer Megan Ellison (Foxcatcher, American Hustle), in which he called her a “bipolar 28-year-old lunatic.” Ellison responded to the story with a humorous post on Twitter, writing that she prefers to describe herself as “eccentric.”

Scott Rudin, Amy Pascal Email About President Obama

While these e-mails certainly ruffled a few Hollywood feathers, other leaked e-mails find Rudin and Pascal taking turns making fun of President Obama’s movie tastes, suggesting that the first black President would only enjoy films starring African-Americans. This e-mail exchange began with Pascal asking Ruden what she should ask the president at a breakfast hosted by Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks Animation.

PASCAL: What should I ask the president at this stupid Jeffrey breakfast?
RUDIN: Would he like to finance movies.
PASCAL: I doubt it. Should I ask him if he liked Django [Unchained]?
RUDIN: 12 Years [A Slave]
PASCAL: Or The Butler. Or Think Like A Man?
RUDIN: Ride-Along. I bet he likes Kevin Hart

These emails hit the web late Wednesday night, and Rudin and Pascal had no comment at the time. Thursday morning, Rudin tried to focus the conversation on the hack, not the leaked emails, telling The New York Times, “This is not about salacious emails being batted around by Gawker and Defamer. It’s about a criminal act, and the people behind it should be treated as nothing more nor less than criminals.”

Scott Rudin, Amy Pascal Apologize

Rudin later issued an apology for his “thoughtless and insensitive” private emails with Pascal, though he did not specifically reference any email or insult. Rudin claimed that any offending comments were written “in jest” and apologized for any unintended offense.

“I made a series of remarks that were meant only to be funny, but in the cold light of day, they are in fact thoughtless and insensitive – and not funny at all. To anybody I’ve offended, I’m profoundly and deeply sorry, and I regret and apologize for any injury they might have caused,” Rudin said in a statement on Thursday.

Pascal also issued her own apology, insisting that the emails are not indicative of her personality. “The content of my emails to Scott were insensitive and inappropriate but are not an accurate reflection of who I am. Although this was a private communication that was stolen, I accept full responsibility for what I wrote and apologize to everyone who was offended,” said Pascal.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.