Millennium Films' CEO Avi Lerner reportedly drops the troubled filmmaker from the project because he couldn't secure a domestic distributor for the movie following Singer's sexual assault scandal.
- March 14, 2019
AceShowbiz - Bryan Singer lost a job in the wake of sexual assault allegations against him. After it's reported last month that his scandal put "Red Sonja" reboot on the back burner, Millennium Films has now reportedly cut ties with the filmmaker.
Millennium Films' CEO Avi Lerner initially defended Singer being part of "Red Sonja" movie. He made headlines after dismissing the story accusing Singer of sexually assaulting underaged boys as "agenda-driven fake news."
"I continue to be in development for 'Red Sonja' and Bryan Singer continues to be attached," Lerner said in a statement published via The Hollywood Reporter at the time. "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. 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."
According to THR, Lerner eventually dropped the "X-Men: Apocalypse" director from the project "because he was unable to secure a domestic distributor."
As Millennium has not given an update on the film development, Amber Tamblyn has suggested a name for Singer's replacement. As self-proclaimed fan of "Red Sonja", she offered herself as director for the movie. "STANDS UP, CHAIR FALLS BACK. RAISES HAND HARD. PICK. ME," she tweeted along with a link to an article about Singer's exit.
She then shared a childhood photo of herself dressing as the heroine for Halloween. She wrote, "And just so you know how serious I am, once again, here is a photo of me dressed up for halloween as Red Sonja when I was seven. I was obsessed back then and still remain obsessed now."
"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. He was recently accused of engaging in sexual acts with boys aged 15 and 17. He vehemently denied the accusations, calling the report a "homophobic smear piece" that was "conveniently timed to take advantage of" the success of "Bohemian Rhapsody".
