'Spotlight' Producers Admit Fictionalizing Jack Dunn Dialogue

BOSTON (CBS) – The makers of the Academy Award winning film "Spotlight" now admit they fictionalized a scene in the movie.

It involved Jack Dunn, the spokesman for Boston College and an alumnus of BC High.

In the movie, the actor portraying Dunn seems to try to minimize and play down the seriousness of the abuse scandal.

When Dunn spoke with WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben in November, he said he got sick after seeing the scene.

"Hollywood needed a villain, and in this particular scene they assigned that to me," Dunn said in the WBZ-TV interview.

On Tuesday, the producers acknowledged the movie contained "fictionalized dialogue" for "dramatic effect" and that Dunn was not part of the cover-up.

"As is the case with most movies based on historical events, 'Spotlight' contains fictionalized dialogue that was attributed to Mr. Dunn for dramatic effect," Open Roads said in a statement.

"We acknowledge that Mr. Dunn was not part of the Archdiocesan cover-up. It is clear from his efforts on behalf of the victims at BC High that he and the filmmakers share a deep, mutual concern for victims of abuse."

Open Road Films will make donations to local charities in Dunn's name.

Dunn says he feels vindicated and relieved.

"I feel vindicated by the statement issued by Open Road Studios and relieved to have the record set straight on an issue that has caused me and my family tremendous pain," Dunn said.

"While it will never erase the devastating experience of being falsely portrayed in an Academy Award-winning film, this public statement enables me to move forward with my reputation and integrity intact."