Sean Penn Vows to Melt His Oscar If Academy Doesn’t Invite Zelenskyy

thewrap.com:

CORE.The actor, who was also in Ukraine last month filming a documentary about Russia’s invasion of the country, said the decision not to invite Zelenskyy “will have been the most obscene moment in all of Hollywood history.”ICYMI: Actor Sean Penn says the Oscars should be boycotted if the ceremony’s planners have decided against having Zelensky on the program.

pic.twitter.com/4LI2YIiKcDThe “Flag Day” director acknowledged that he is “not commenting on” whether Zelenskyy had wanted to participate in the awards show in the first place, but rather that — as he understands it — organizers have decided against the telecast appearance.

If that is indeed the case, Penn encourages fellow actors to boycott the event.“If the Academy has elected not to do it, if presenters have elected not to pursue the leadership in Ukraine who are taking bullets and bombs for us, along with the Ukrainian children that they are trying to protect, then I think every single one of those people and every bit of that decision will have been the most obscene moment in all of Hollywood history,” he said.Penn continued, “If it turns out to be what’s happening, I would encourage everyone involved to know that, though it may be their moment — and I understand that — to celebrate their films, it is so much more importantly their moment to shine and to protest and to boycott that Academy Awards.

I myself, if it comes back to it, when I return, I will smelt mine in public.”“I pray that’s not what’s happened,” the actor concluded. “I pray there have not been arrogant people who consider themselves representatives of the greater good in my industry that have not decided to check in with leadership in Ukraine.