Interesting perspective, Malaika. I guess I took his statement, and the statements of others in the same boat, to be that there was time for truth but it was not that time. In other words, he (and others like him) was either inclined to not spoil the suprise, or in other circumstances, secrecy and control over production and script details are the order of the day. I think we can trust him ok, just maybe not count on him to spill the beans and ruin a major chunk of a film for a lot of people.
I'm all about secrecy too. If I were a writer you wouldn't know a thing from me
but I think it's better to not comment rumors at all or be vague and teasing (like the other actors did) than do what Simon did..
In my case, his interview ruined my fun more than the spoilers and speculations of the fans because he made me
hope that the villain was another (and I was one of those who were doubtful about the speculations). The 'surprise' to not ruin wasn't really a surprise about this new exciting plot and villain no one could expect, as much as it was them trying to hide the fact that they ultimately re-used a villain that they knew a lot of people wouldn't like for a number of reasons (and that not even all the writers liked)
In short, he just tried to delay my
disappointment but ultimately made it worse in the end.
Lindelof did a similar thing, and worse, as a writer in 'Lost'. For years they denied that the show would use a certain plot device and mocked those who speculated about it and yet, in the end he did a complete 180° turn on a lot of things he had said that were contradicted by the finale where they in fact used that plot device they swore they would never use.
I'm not one of those who think that the writers owe the fans and the latter are justified when they are entitled.
But there must be a middle ground between not wanting to tell us everything/spill the beans and manipulation, dishonesty and lack of integrity.
just my two cents