Oh, Rhys Ifans! Of course I was thrilled when I heard you were cast as Dr. Curt Connors in the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man movie, because you are sure to plumb the nuances of that brilliant, tortured professor, who inadvertently contracts a degenerative lizard disease and transforms from a peaceful scholar into a villainous Super Lizard. (Don’t get me wrong! Dylan Baker would have also been great.)
But, my darling Rhys, what has fame done to you! You starred as an ill-socialized, feral man in one of my favorite movies, Human Nature, and now you really are behaving like a total ape.
Reports have emerged from San Diego that you were arrested at Comic-Con yesterday for shoving a security guard—a lady security guard—because she wouldn’t let you and your friends through on your way to the Amazing Spider-Man panel discussion. And you yelled at her! If all that weren’t ungentlemanly enough, a bystander later told press that you reeked of booze.
Don’t think that I don’t sympathize with you a little, Mr. Ifans. I love you, Mr. Ifans, and I know that it is easy to panic when you are late to a panel, and that it is frustrating when security guards glance down at your lanyard-badge and act like you aren’t a huge movie star. And it sure must have been humiliating when the guard reappeared after the Spider-Man panel and made a citizen’s arrest, right in front of everyone. Plus, it was the day after your birthday! Oh, no!
From the Wrap:
“He was aggressive and belligerent,” Lt. Andra Brown said of the Welsh actor. “He was… berating everyone from the security staff to the United States of America.”
“He was cited and released, which is a non-custodial misdemeanor arrest,” added Brown, who said that the San Diego City Attorney will now determine whether to pursue charges. Ifans could be required to pay a fine, or could contest the case before a judge.
“But, according to him, the U.S. sucks and he doesn’t want to come back,” Brown said.
Oh, Rhys! I take back everything I said! We aren’t really mad at you. Come back to the United States, Mr. Ifans! Come back!