Free speech lawyer Suzanne Nossel said on Thursday she received John Cena's apology for China. "troublesome" after calling Taiwan a country during a promotional debate on her upcoming film, "Fast and Furious 9."
"It sounded like a forced confession," Nossel, Pen America's non-profit chief executive, told "The News with Shepard Smith" of CNBC. "The clear notion that you are under a lot of pressure, that which could have meant just a slip of the tongue leads to the possible consequences of Draconia for this film, by his work, shows this hard hand and the pressure exerted by the Chinese when someone falls for them."
Pen America aims to protect human rights and free speech around the world.
Cena issued his apology Tuesday on social media in China. "I have to say now, very important, very, very, very, very important," the movie star said in a video message. “I love and respect Chinese and Chinese people. I am very sorry for my mistake. ”
China claims Taiwan as its territory. While the U.S. Not officially recognizing Taiwan as a country, it supports the Taiwanese government in various illegal ways.
The autonomous island is China's most critical country crisis and a major source of conflict with Washington, which US law needs to help the island defend itself.
Nossel added that he thinks Hollywood studios should be transparent when it comes to who sponsors them and what part of the profits are made in China.
"I think if something like this happens, that John Cena should be sponsored by the studio and the filmmakers that they don't just have to be firm and make such an apology to make it look like they are saving himself," Nossel said.
Universal's recent inclusion in the "Fast and Furious" franchise began with a grand $ 162 million in eight markets, including China, Korea and Hong Kong.
Neither NBCUniversal nor the Chinese ambassador could be reached for comment. A Cena spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
"This clear notion that you are under a lot of pressure ... shows this heavy hand and pressure used by the Chinese when one falls for them," said free speech lawyer Suzanne Nossel.
Nossel added that he thinks Hollywood studios should be transparent when it comes to who sponsors them and what part of the profits are made in China.
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