According to another article in the Observer, in 1998, Peter Farrelly said he had done it “at least 500 times”.
Diaz is also quoted in a 2000 article in the Observer saying: “I just adore those guys …
In the same article, Ali was reported to have apologised for any offence caused by his portrayal of Shirley (who died in 2013), and was quoted as saying: “I did the best I could with the material I had.”
However, despite its liberal credentials, Green Book has become a lightning rod for criticism.