Malkovich Cancels Show in Israel Over Fake Quote

John Malkovich is pulling the plug on a planned performance in Israel over a fabricated quote attributed to him. The actor canceled his April appearance in the Music Critic, a musical theater production, after an Israeli PR firm issued a release quoting him as being "thrilled to return to Israel" and expressing strong "solidarity" with Israelis, reports the Hollywood Reporter. In a statement, an angry Malkovich made clear he never spoke those words.

"My appearance in any country, even my own, does not constitute approval of said country's policies, nor actions, nor its elected or unelected leaders," he wrote. "My appearances would also not condone nor mean that I am in supposed 'solidarity' with any particular political cause, nor with the killing of innocents, nor with any acts of terrorism, nor any other kind of barbarity." Variety has the full statement. The Israeli PR firm that handled the release acknowledged making up the quote. "We sincerely apologize to Mr. Malkovich and his representatives for the incorrect attribution and regret that this occurred."