Actress Charlotte Rampling insists the controversial comments attributed to her as she opened up about the lack of diversity at this year's Oscars were "misinterpreted".

Actor Will Smith said he will join his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in boycotting this year's Oscars.

Rampling raised eyebrows with her comments in the Europe 1 interview, during which she appeared to suggest that the campaign against the lack of diversity among this year's Oscar nominees is "racist to whites".

"We've discussed it. We're part of this community, but at this current time, we're uncomfortable to stand there and say that this is OK".

She continued: "Diversity in our industry is an important issue that needs to be addressed". "There are always questions about whether such and such a person is less handsome, such is and such is too black, such and such is too blond".

Ouch. There are few things more deflating of your public hissy fit than a crisp "No comment" from Charlotte Rampling.

After a backlash within the film industry for its Oscar nominations, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opted for an affirmative action plan.

"There's loads of black actors...You can't vote for an actor because he's black".

Will Smith announced on "Good Morning America" Thursday morning that he will join his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, in skipping this year's Academy Awards.

The organisers of the Oscars have responded to the outcry over the lack of diversity in this year's nominations by promising to double the number of "diverse members by 2020", re-frame voting rights, and restructure committees.

Q. He [Spike] explains that he wants to instate quotas for minorities in American cinema so that they can make it into the selection. "I don't know what it is".

Oscars host Chris Rock has made no public statement on the issue, but has also come under pressure from rapper 50 Cent and "Fast & Furious" actor Tyrese Gibson to quit.

Sure, maybe the black actor Idris Elba was snubbed for his performance in "Beasts of No Nation", along with Michael B. Jordan for his performance in "Creed".

In the wide-ranging interview with Mason, Rampling talks about her career, her work on "45 Years", and whether she's been asked to star in a superhero movie.