Or they succumbed to pressure from the popularity of other less-restrained shows that depict violence for the sake of the spectacle.

He went on to say that art had a responsibility to authentically replicate and depict violence.

Although several scenes of the story depict violence and cruelty toward and involving animals, a film spokesperson explained that no animal was harmed, and special effects were used.

He also explored less graphic means of depicting violence and altered his drawing technique.

After 2000, when his films were doing fairly well, he decided to stop acting in movies depicting violence, a decision he would later regret.