Millennium Films is reportedly reconsidering if Singer is the right fit for the project after he's hit with multiple rape allegations and was fired from 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.
- Feb 12, 2019
AceShowbiz - "Red Sonja" movie is being put on the back burner amid controversy surrounding Bryan Singer, who is attached as director to the project. Millennium Films is reportedly thinking if the filmmaker is the right choice for the big-budget comic book adaptation at this moment.
While Singer has not been formally removed from the movie, "the project is not on the slate at the moment and is not for sale at the EFM in Berlin," Deadline reports. The female-fronted action movie was expected to kick off production this year in Bulgaria, but now it's not going to happen. No cast has been set just yet for the movie.
"Red Sonja" centers on the title character, a spin-off of "Conan the Barbarian", and is expected to kick off a new franchise for Millennium with a female lead at its center. The project has been long in development, with Robert Rodriguez on board to direct at one point in 2018, while his then-girlfriend Rose McGowan was tapped as the lead actress, but it fell apart.
Singer has been hit with multiple sexual abuse claims. Back in 2018, Millennium seemed to disregard his scandal as it entered talks with the filmmaker last September to discuss the possibility of him helming "Red Sonja".
The latest blow in Singer's reputation came when The Atlantic published a story citing more than 50 sources alleging that the director had sex with boys aged 15 and 17. Victor Valdovinos additionally accused the filmmaker of raping him on the set of "Apt Pupil" when he was 13 years old and working as extra in the film directed by Singer.
Singer has vehemently denied the accusations, calling the report a "homophobic smear piece" that was "conveniently timed to take advantage of" the success of "Bohemian Rhapsody".
GLAAD has since ripped the musical biopic off its chance to land nomination at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards due to Singer's scandal. "In light of the latest allegations against director Bryan Singer, GLAAD has made the difficult decision to remove 'Bohemian Rhapsody' from contention for a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Film - Wide Release category this year," GLAAD said in a statement.
The organization added, "This week's story in The Atlantic documenting unspeakable harms endured by young men and teenage boys brought to light a reality that cannot be ignored or even tacitly rewarded."
