Millennium Films signed Bryan Singer (BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY) on to direct their reboot of RED SONJA last year, but after the recent exposé from The Atlantic (which was originally slated for Esquire) launched fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against the director, it was unknown whether or not Millennium Films would still be moving ahead with Singer, until now.
In a statement, Millennium Films CEO and RED SONJA producer Avi Lerner confirmed that Bryan Singer will still be involved with the project. "I continue to be in development for Red Sonja and Bryan Singer continues to be attached," Lerner said. "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." It's also been said that Singer may make quite a lot from RED SONJA as Millennium Films are willing to pay Singer $10 million assuming that certain box-office milestones are met.
Allegations of sexual misconduct have followed Bryan Singer for decades, and the piece for The Atlantic by Alex French and Maximillian Potter features interviews with several of Singer's alleged victims. Victor Valdovinos, the only subject to use his name in the article, said that Singer molested him on the set of APT PUPIL when he was just 13 years old. After being told by a crew member to disrobe and wrap a towel around his waist for a scene, Valdovinos said that Singer introduced himself and directed him to a closed off back area and told him to wait there.
Eventually, he says, Singer came back and made small talk. How are you doing? Do you need anything? “Every time he had a chance—three times—he would go back there … He was always touching my chest.” Finally, according to Valdovinos, Singer reached through the towel flaps and “grabbed my genitals and started masturbating it.” The director also “rubbed his front part on me,” Valdovinos alleges. “He did it all with this smile.” Valdovinos says that Singer told him, “You’re so good-looking … I really want to work with you … I have a nice Ferrari … I’m going to take care of you."
After The Atlantic article was released, Bryan Singer made his own statement condemning the story as one full of rehashed claims from bogus lawsuits. "The last time I posted about this subject, Esquire magazine was preparing to publish an article written by a homophobic journalist who has a bizarre obsession with me dating back to 1997. After careful fact-checking and, in consideration of the lack of credible sources, Esquire chose not to publish this piece of vendetta journalism," Singer said. "That didn’t stop this writer from selling it to The Atlantic. It’s sad that The Atlantic would stoop to this low standard of journalistic integrity. Again, I am forced to reiterate that this story rehashes claims from bogus lawsuits filed by a disreputable cast of individuals willing to lie for money or attention. And it is no surprise that, with Bohemian Rhapsody being an award-winning hit, this homophobic smear piece has been conveniently timed to take advantage of its success."