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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 11 February 2019
Do Bryan Singer allegations hurt 'Bohemian's' Oscar chances?

By LINDSEY BAHR best picture.
AP Film Writer But then on Jan. 23, almost
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Direc- exactly a month before the
tor Bryan Singer hasn't been Oscars and one day after
involved with the Queen bi- its nominations, The Atlan-
opic "Bohemian Rhapsody" tic magazine published an
for over a year, but with a article in which four men
fresh exposé alleging that claim they were sexually
he sexually assaulted mi- abused by Singer while un-
nors and the British Acad- derage. Singer has denied
emy of Film and Television the allegations. A represen-
Arts "suspending" his nomi- tative for Singer declined
nation, will he be the film's to comment further for this
Oscars Achilles heel? article.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" has The next day, the advo-
had a lifetime's worth of cacy group GLAAD re-
trials and setbacks on its moved the film from its Me-
10-year journey to the big dia Awards nominees, and
screen. And yet despite four days later, "Bohemian
everything working against Rhapsody" lost the coveted
it — from Singer's surprise SAG ensemble award to
firing mid-production for "Black Panther."
absences and clashes with "I think that it would have
the cast, to the negative won SAG ensemble if it
reviews right before its re- hadn't been embroiled in
lease — it seems to have controversy," said Sasha This Dec. 2, 2013 file photo shows Bryan Singer at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Hobbit: The
come out of the fires un- Stone, founder of the blog Desolation of Smaug."
scathed. The $50 million Awards Daily. Associated Press
production became a The SAG voting period end-
global box-office phenom- ed on Jan. 25, two days af- the Outstanding British film and doing right by him and Singer was fired.
enon, grossing over $209 ter The Atlantic article pub- award, among others. the band. How could vot- The Atlantic article didn't
million in North America lished. As if a precursor to Those involved with the film ers argue with that? Malek, exactly light Hollywood on
alone and over $834 mil- what might happen at the have, in general, opted not on the day of his Oscar fire, either. Singer is still lined
lion worldwide to become Academy Awards, Malek to talk about their ousted nomination, said that he up to direct another movie
the most successful musical walked away with his own director. Singer was kept was "not aware" of the al- for a $10 million payday .
biopic of all time. It devel- acting prize. far away from the publicity legations against Singer. And people still like "Bohe-
oped into a top awards This week, just days before tour but retained his direct- He's since presented a mian Rhapsody."
contender too, winning the the British Academy film ing credit and could stand more informed stance and "I don't see too many peo-
best drama and best ac- awards, BAFTA announced to make $40 million, ac- said that his "heart goes out ple even upset about the
tor for Rami Malek at the that Singer's nomination cording to The Hollywood to anyone who has to live controversy. That Atlantic
Golden Globes, while also suspension because the al- Reporter. Producer Gra- through anything like what piece came out after nom-
receiving two key Screen leged behavior was "com- ham King became the pub- I've heard and what is out inations. I still think the mov-
Actors Guild nominations, pletely unacceptable and lic face of the production there." When pressed, he's ie would be nominated if it
a Producers Guild nod and incompatible" with its val- along with Malek. And their has often gone back to the had run before. It's not like it
five Oscar nominations, ues. The film, however, will messaging stayed laser-fo- refrain that audiences can contained anything surpris-
including best actor and still compete Sunday for cused on Freddie Mercury take solace in the fact that ing. q

TV show 'Extra' suspends host

to investigate misconduct

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — article in The Hollywood tions made by women who
A.J. Calloway, a host on Reporter. wanted to remain anony-
the syndicated entertain- Calloway's lawyer, Lisa E. mous. Neither of the Janu-
ment news show "Extra," Davis, said her client vehe- ary allegations concerned
was suspended Saturday mently denies ever assault- misconduct that took
as his parent company in- ing anyone and looks for- place on the job. Warner
vestigates sexual miscon- ward to clearing his name. Bros. said in a statement
duct allegations. Calloway has been with Saturday that "to date,
The company said it had "Extra" since 2005. we have found nothing to In this Nov. 13, 2017 file photo, A.J. Calloway attends the 2017
Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Kings Theatre in New
investigated prior accu- He was arrested follow- suggest that Mr. Calloway York.
sations against Calloway ing a 2006 incident where has ever engaged in work- Associated Press
and found no suggestion a woman, Sil Lai Abrams, place misconduct."
of workplace misconduct. accused Calloway of as- But with additional allega- mitted to doing everything tions are unsubstantiated
But he was suspended sault. The charges were tions made, "we are ex- we can to ensure a safe and false. "He vehemently
after Warner Brothers be- dismissed. Another pub- panding our ongoing in- and inclusive workplace denies that he ever as-
came aware of addition- lication, the Daily Beast, quiries," the company said. for all of our employees." saulted anyone and looks
al allegations that will be reported last month about "We take such allegations Davis said that Calloway forward to clearing his
published in an upcoming two misconduct allega- very seriously and are com- maintains that the allega- name," she said.q