Director Tristram Shapeero Apologizes to Lukas Gage, Explains Zoom Call Debacle

7:00 AM PT -- 11/24 -- Shapeero has changed his tune and decided to issue a wholehearted apology to Lukas Gage for what he said on the Zoom call ... but also explain how it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

The director says ... "First and foremost I offer Mr. Gage a sincere and unvarnished apology for my offensive words, my unprofessional behavior during the audition and for not giving him the focus and attention he deserved. My job is to evaluate performers against the part I am trying to cast. Lukas deserved better."

Shapeero goes on to explain the Zoom audition was back in August after months of lockdown, and it was emotional for him to see how hard actors were working in the tough conditions to land roles.

He explains when he was referring to actors like Lukas when he said "These poor people," but he meant "in the sense of deserving sympathy, as opposed to any economic judgment."

The director says he truly appreciates what actors have been going through, and he's still mortified about what happened. However, he vows to "move forward from this incident a more empathetic man; a more focused director and I promise, an even better partner to actors from the audition process to the final cut."