WATCH: Samuel L. Jackson Challenges Reporter To Say 'N-Word'

Samuel L. Jackson challenged Jake Hamilton of the Emmy-winning show Jake's Takes to say “the n-word” during an interview for the new Quentin Tarantino movie Django Unchained, also starring Jamie Foxx, Christopher Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington.

“There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the usage of the ‘n-word’ in this movie,” Hamilton, who is white, said in the interview.

“No? Nobody? None? The word would be?” Jackson prodded, before demanding Hamilton say the racial slur before asking the question. Hamilton elected not to say the slur and press on with the interview, lamenting, “It was a great question.”

“It wasn’t a great question if you can’t say the word.” Jackson said. The instance occurs at the 13:55 mark of the video below:

The encounter was apparently tense during filming.

“The most awkward moment was just seeing everyone in the room freeze, and waiting to see what my reaction was going to be,” Hamilton told EW. Ultimately, Hamilton stood by his decision not to say the word, believing it would have created far more controversy had he said it.

Hamilton also offered praise for Jackson as an interesting and tough interview subject. “He [Jackson] doesn’t suffer any fools, and he’s the kind of guy I feel like I have to step up my game as a reporter,” Hamilton said. “I look forward to interviewing him again.”

Django Unchained has created quite a stir, and Spike Lee has said he is boycotting the movie. However, the movie has been received well by critics, boasting an 89% rating on Rottentomatoes. It has also been nominated for four Golden Globes– Best Drama Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Waltz)—and figures to be a heavyweight contender at the upcoming Academy Awards.