When The Atlantic dropped a new story with allegations against director Bryan Singer, some wondered if this might be the end of his time on the upcoming Red Sonja movie. However, because men’s careers are rarely damaged by allegations, Singer is still in line to direct.
Millennium Films will proceed with production, with Singer helming the film. Producer Avi Lerner, who has also been accused of sexual harassment, said to The Hollywood Reporter: “I know the difference between agenda driven fake news and reality, and I am very comfortable with this decision. In America people are innocent until proven otherwise.”
Lerner is right about innocent until proven guilty in the legal system, but with the allegations against Singer, it seems irresponsible to have him remain on set. Singer has already started to suffer consequences for his actions, such as Bohemian Rhapsody losing a GLAAD nomination, but to continue to have him direct a high-profile film where he gets a ten-million-dollar payday seems like a deliberate slap in the face to Singer’s alleged victims.
It’s also worth noting that nothing in Singer’s professional behavior points to him deserving such a high profile gig. Singer was all but fired from Bohemian Rhapsody for not showing up on set and for bad behavior; the director was so terrible on set that one actor, Tom Hollander, temporarily quit the movie, and Singer also had a rumored altercation with star Rami Malek. None of this is behavior that merits a giant payday and big name project, and yet, here we are.
Red Sonja is, among many things, a film about a woman who has been sexually assaulted. To have a man with so many allegations against him direct this film is irresponsible, especially now that these allegations are so public. Singer should, at the very least, be removed from this project pending investigation, because he represents an unsafe work environment for those around him, and these allegations should not be taken lightly. To continue on with him as the lead director of the film is not safe, period, based on both the allegations and his professional attitude.
Lerner also cites Bohemian Rhapsody‘s box office as a reason to hire Singer, saying, “The over $800 million Bohemian Rhapsody has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is testament to his remarkable vision and acumen.” Singer was literally fired from the project. The film did not do well with critics, and succeeded in spite of Singer, rather than because of him. In fact, if we want to attribute the success to anyone, it would probably be Rami Malek and his magnetic turn as Freddie Mercury.
Allegations are not convictions, that much is sure, but with the amount of allegations against Singer throughout the years, more consideration is due. These men have nothing to gain from coming forward, and some did not even use their real names for fear of backlash. We cannot fully call the #MeToo movement inclusive if it only focuses on white women; we need to care about male victims, too.
Millennium films and Lerner continuing to work with Singer is a deeply problematic move. Hopefully, this will resolve itself, but all in all, this is disappointing and proves that those who cry “but his career” about alleged abusers are in the wrong.
(via The Hollywood Reporter, image:Â DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
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