Director Taylor Hackford says that he is "deeply hurt" that Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe have refused interviews with print journalists to promote his latest movie, Proof of Life, which opens Friday.

In an interview with today's (Tuesday) Calgary Sun, Hackford said that he can understand their decision, noting that TV and radio interviewers are more amenable to actors' requests to limit the scope of questioning.

The two actors have declined comment on rumors that they became lovers off the set as well as on during the film's production. Hackford told the newspaper that he was unaware of the rumored affair. "They were incredibly discreet and incredibly professional. It was not until we flew back to England ... that I learned about the affair ... in one of the London newspapers."

Hackford did say that he removed a graphic love scene from the film because it "detracted greatly" from the story. "This was completely my decision," he told the Sun. "There was no pressure from Meg or Russell and certainly not from the studio."

Source: Studio Briefing