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The Cosmopolis director took on a rare acting role as Dr Decker in the 1990 cult horror movie, which has recently been at the centre of a fan campaign to restore newly discovered workprints.
"I remember Clive was very bitter about it," he said. "I have not had the same bad experiences, and have never had a movie re-cut on me.
"I've had one or two censorship problems, but I've somehow avoided being in that situation. It would really be a violation, I can see how horrible it would be, no question."
Speaking about Barker's intended movie, which screened in a rough version titled the 'Cabal Cut' at this year's Film4 FrightFest, Cronenberg said: "I don't think I ever really saw what Clive had in mind, but it's a tough game and Clive sort of opted out of directing. And when I saw him, which was at a Stephen King event in Toronto, he was really bitter about his movie experience as he had quite a few bad ones."
The Canadian, best known for helming The Fly and A History of Violence, added. "That was the most serious film role that I played in the sense that I was on location in London for three months.
"I was writing the screenplay for Naked Lunch in the rented house I had in St John's Wood, but it still was a real commitment. It was very interesting to do, and I love Clive and was very interested to be on the set with him."
> Read Digital Spy's full interview with David Cronenberg
Cosmopolis is available on Blu-ray and DVD now. Facebook.com/CosmopolisUK
