One of the producers of the The Hurt Locker, an Academy Award nominee for best picture, has apologized for an email sent out to voters encouraging them to vote for his independent film over "a $500 million film."
Yes, that was a slap at Avatar, and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was none too pleased. The producer, Nicolas Chartier, also went as far as to suggest that voters rank his film No. 1 and Avatar No. 10.
It is reported that the Academy is considering sanctions against Chartier, but any punishment won't be revealed until Oscar votes close Tuesday at 5 p.m. Pacific time.
Chartier, for his part, has already apologized.
"My naivete, ignorance of the rules and plain stupidity as a first-time nominee is not an excuse for this behavior and I strongly regret it," Chartier wrote in an e-mail obtained by The Associated Press. "Being nominated for an Academy Award is the ultimate honor and I should have taken the time to read the rules."
No word yet on whether Chartier will be permitted to attend the Oscars, which air Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
