Bryan Singer: Difference between revisions
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==Sexual assault allegation== | ==Sexual assault allegation== | ||
In 1997, a 14-year-old extra accused Singer of asking him and other minors to film a shower scene in the nude for the film ''[[Apt Pupil (film)|Apt Pupil]]''. | |||
A lawsuit was filed but dismissed for insufficient evidence.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ascher-Walsh|first=Rebecca|title=Three minors who were extras say they were told to disrobe to shoot a shower scene|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,287669,00.html|work=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=29 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Satoodeh|first=Ramin|title=Bryan Singer Allegations Part of Upcoming Sex Abuse Documentary|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-04-18/entertainment/sns-201404181737reedbusivarietyn1201159632-20140418_1_tribeca-film-festival-west-memphis-three-amy-berg|work=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=29 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
==Michael Egan== | |||
In April 2014, Singer was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault of a minor Michael Egan, now 31. According to the suit filed by attorney Jeff Herman "who is noted for his representation of sex abuse victims, having filed suits against the Roman Catholic Church and Kevin Clash, the former voice of Sesame Street character Elmo" <ref Name="Reuters" />, Singer is alleged to have drugged and raped Egan in Hawaii and Los Angeles in the late [[1990s]] when Egan was between the ages of 15 and 17. <ref>{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Brook|title=Suit Accuses Director of New ‘X-Men’ Film of Sexual Assault|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/business/media/in-lawsuit-director-of-new-x-men-film-is-accused-of-sexual-assault.html?rref=homepage|work=The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=17 April 2014}}</ref> It has been reported that Egan has been working on a film for "Disarming Films" best know for the film ''Deliver Us From Evil'', about sex abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church. <ref>{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Sara|title=EXCLUSIVE: X-Men director's sex abuse accuser is working with Oscar-nominated filmmaker on bombshell expose of Hollywood's sordid underbelly|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2607877/EXCLUSIVE-X-Men-directors-sex-abuse-accuser-working-Oscar-nominated-filmmaker-bombshell-expose-Hollywoods-sordid-underbelly.html|work=The Mail Online|publisher=The Daily Mail|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> Singer's attorney called the allegations [[Statutory prostitute (dictionary)|"completely fabricated"]] and said Singer plans to countersue.<ref Name="Reuters">{{cite web | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/18/usa-singer-abuse-idUSL2N0N919E20140418 | title='X Men' director hit by sex abuse lawsuit weeks before premiere | first=Dana| last= Feldman | first2=Eric | last2=Kelsey | publisher=Reuters | accessdate=April 18, 2014 }}</ref> In a later interview he stated that, “My client was never with Mr. Egan in Hawaii during the time period alleged or at any other time....that he had credit card receipts, telephone records and production schedules showing that Singer was not in Hawaii -- and was mostly in Toronto working on the first X-Men movie -- when the parties attended by then 17-year old Egan took place."<ref>{{cite web|last=Handel |first=Jonathan|title=Bryan Singer's Attorney: Accuser's Witnesses are 'Liars' (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bryan-singer-s-attorney-accuser-697738|publisher= The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=21 April 2014}}</ref> On May 13 2014 it came to light that in a 2003 deposition for a previous lawsuit, Michael Egan had stated under oath that he had never left the continental U.S and had never been to Hawaii, contradicting his claims that Singer and others had abused him at parties in Encino, California, and in a seven-bedroom estate in Kailua, outside Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man suing Bryan Singer for raping him as a teen 'said he had never been to Hawaii' in earlier lawsuit - but now claims that's where most of the explosive allegations took place|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2627703/Michael-Egan-suing-Bryan-Singer-rape-said-never-Hawaii-earlier-lawsuit-thats-explosive-allegations-took-place.html|work=The Mail Online|publisher=The Daily Mail|accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref> | In April 2014, Singer was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault of a minor Michael Egan, now 31. According to the suit filed by attorney Jeff Herman "who is noted for his representation of sex abuse victims, having filed suits against the Roman Catholic Church and Kevin Clash, the former voice of Sesame Street character Elmo" <ref Name="Reuters" />, Singer is alleged to have drugged and raped Egan in Hawaii and Los Angeles in the late [[1990s]] when Egan was between the ages of 15 and 17. <ref>{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Brook|title=Suit Accuses Director of New ‘X-Men’ Film of Sexual Assault|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/business/media/in-lawsuit-director-of-new-x-men-film-is-accused-of-sexual-assault.html?rref=homepage|work=The New York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company|accessdate=17 April 2014}}</ref> It has been reported that Egan has been working on a film for "Disarming Films" best know for the film ''Deliver Us From Evil'', about sex abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church. <ref>{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Sara|title=EXCLUSIVE: X-Men director's sex abuse accuser is working with Oscar-nominated filmmaker on bombshell expose of Hollywood's sordid underbelly|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2607877/EXCLUSIVE-X-Men-directors-sex-abuse-accuser-working-Oscar-nominated-filmmaker-bombshell-expose-Hollywoods-sordid-underbelly.html|work=The Mail Online|publisher=The Daily Mail|accessdate=19 April 2014}}</ref> Singer's attorney called the allegations [[Statutory prostitute (dictionary)|"completely fabricated"]] and said Singer plans to countersue.<ref Name="Reuters">{{cite web | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/18/usa-singer-abuse-idUSL2N0N919E20140418 | title='X Men' director hit by sex abuse lawsuit weeks before premiere | first=Dana| last= Feldman | first2=Eric | last2=Kelsey | publisher=Reuters | accessdate=April 18, 2014 }}</ref> In a later interview he stated that, “My client was never with Mr. Egan in Hawaii during the time period alleged or at any other time....that he had credit card receipts, telephone records and production schedules showing that Singer was not in Hawaii -- and was mostly in Toronto working on the first X-Men movie -- when the parties attended by then 17-year old Egan took place."<ref>{{cite web|last=Handel |first=Jonathan|title=Bryan Singer's Attorney: Accuser's Witnesses are 'Liars' (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bryan-singer-s-attorney-accuser-697738|publisher= The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=21 April 2014}}</ref> On May 13 2014 it came to light that in a 2003 deposition for a previous lawsuit, Michael Egan had stated under oath that he had never left the continental U.S and had never been to Hawaii, contradicting his claims that Singer and others had abused him at parties in Encino, California, and in a seven-bedroom estate in Kailua, outside Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man suing Bryan Singer for raping him as a teen 'said he had never been to Hawaii' in earlier lawsuit - but now claims that's where most of the explosive allegations took place|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2627703/Michael-Egan-suing-Bryan-Singer-rape-said-never-Hawaii-earlier-lawsuit-thats-explosive-allegations-took-place.html|work=The Mail Online|publisher=The Daily Mail|accessdate=13 May 2014}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:59, 6 June 2014
Bryan Jay Singer (born September 17, 1965) is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. Singer won critical acclaim for his work on The Usual Suspects, and is especially well-known among fans of the science fiction and superhero genres for his work on the X-Men films and Superman Returns. Other notable films he directed include Apt Pupil, Valkyrie and Jack the Giant Slayer.[1] Singer was born in New York City, and was adopted by Grace Sinden, an environmental activist, and Norbert Dave Singer, a corporate executive.[2] He grew up in a Jewish household in West Windsor Township, New Jersey. He attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (formerly just West Windsor-Plainsboro High School), graduating in 1984.[3] For college, Singer studied filmmaking for two years at New York's School of Visual Arts and later transferred to the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles.[4] Actor Marc Singer who is best known for his roles in the Beastmaster film series is his cousin. Singer who is openly gay has said that his life experiences of growing up as a minority influenced his movies.[5]
Sexual assault allegation
In 1997, a 14-year-old extra accused Singer of asking him and other minors to film a shower scene in the nude for the film Apt Pupil. A lawsuit was filed but dismissed for insufficient evidence.[6][7]
Michael Egan
In April 2014, Singer was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault of a minor Michael Egan, now 31. According to the suit filed by attorney Jeff Herman "who is noted for his representation of sex abuse victims, having filed suits against the Roman Catholic Church and Kevin Clash, the former voice of Sesame Street character Elmo" [8], Singer is alleged to have drugged and raped Egan in Hawaii and Los Angeles in the late 1990s when Egan was between the ages of 15 and 17. [9] It has been reported that Egan has been working on a film for "Disarming Films" best know for the film Deliver Us From Evil, about sex abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church. [10] Singer's attorney called the allegations "completely fabricated" and said Singer plans to countersue.[8] In a later interview he stated that, “My client was never with Mr. Egan in Hawaii during the time period alleged or at any other time....that he had credit card receipts, telephone records and production schedules showing that Singer was not in Hawaii -- and was mostly in Toronto working on the first X-Men movie -- when the parties attended by then 17-year old Egan took place."[11] On May 13 2014 it came to light that in a 2003 deposition for a previous lawsuit, Michael Egan had stated under oath that he had never left the continental U.S and had never been to Hawaii, contradicting his claims that Singer and others had abused him at parties in Encino, California, and in a seven-bedroom estate in Kailua, outside Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1999.[12]
On May 4, 2014, a new lawsuit was filed by attorney Jeff Herman on behalf of an anonymous British man. Singer and producer Gary Goddard (who was also named separately in the first case) were accused of sexually assaulting "John Doe No. 117." According to the lawsuit, Goddard and Singer met the man for sex when he was a minor and engaged in acts of "gender violence" against him while in London for the premiere of Superman Returns.[13]
Films
Feature films | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
Director | Producer | Writer | |||
1988 | Lion's Den | yes | yes | yes | Short film |
1993 | Public Access | yes | yes | yes | |
1995 | The Usual Suspects | yes | yes | ||
1998 | Apt Pupil | yes | yes | ||
Burn | yes | ||||
2000 | X-Men | yes | yes | ||
2003 | X2 | yes | yes | ||
2006 | Superman Returns | yes | yes | ||
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman | yes | Documentary | |||
2007 | Color Me Olsen | yes | Short film | ||
2008 | Valkyrie | yes | yes | ||
2009 | Trick 'r Treat | yes | |||
2011 | X-Men: First Class | yes | yes | [14] | |
2013 | Jack the Giant Slayer | yes | yes | [15] | |
2014 | X-Men: Days of Future Past | yes | yes | [16] |
References
- ↑ Bryan Singer (Wikipedia)
- ↑ Bryan Singer Biography (1965–). Filmreference.com. Retrieved on December 4, 2013.
- ↑ Miller, Lynn. "More West Windsor Filmmaking Stars on the Horizon", West Windsor & Plainsboro News, December 15, 2007. Accessed December 15, 2007. "Two West Windsor-Plainsboro High School graduates are following in the footsteps of two other filmmakers from West Windsor, Bryan Singer and Christopher McQuarrie. Singer, Class of 1984, and McQuarrie, Class of 1986, have recently joined together for the filming of "Valkyrie,” a controversial film about Colonel Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg, the German Army officer who tried to do away with Hitler during World War II."
- ↑ "FILM; An Unusual Choice for the Role of Studio Superhero", July 9, 2000. Retrieved on November 27, 2007. “As a child, Mr. Singer grew up in Princeton Junction, N.J. His father, Norbert Singer, is a businessman and his mother, Grace, is an environmental activist and former state environmental official.... Mr. Singer attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan for two years, and then transferred to the University of Southern California.”
- ↑ Applebaum, Stephen. Interview: Bryan Singer. BBC. Retrieved on October 7, 2006.
- ↑ Ascher-Walsh, Rebecca. Three minors who were extras say they were told to disrobe to shoot a shower scene. Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 29 April 2014.
- ↑ Satoodeh, Ramin. Bryan Singer Allegations Part of Upcoming Sex Abuse Documentary. Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved on 29 April 2014.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Feldman, Dana. 'X Men' director hit by sex abuse lawsuit weeks before premiere. Reuters. Retrieved on April 18, 2014.
- ↑ Barnes, Brook. Suit Accuses Director of New ‘X-Men’ Film of Sexual Assault. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 17 April 2014.
- ↑ Nathan, Sara. EXCLUSIVE: X-Men director's sex abuse accuser is working with Oscar-nominated filmmaker on bombshell expose of Hollywood's sordid underbelly. The Mail Online. The Daily Mail. Retrieved on 19 April 2014.
- ↑ Handel, Jonathan. Bryan Singer's Attorney: Accuser's Witnesses are 'Liars' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 21 April 2014.
- ↑ Man suing Bryan Singer for raping him as a teen 'said he had never been to Hawaii' in earlier lawsuit - but now claims that's where most of the explosive allegations took place. The Mail Online. The Daily Mail. Retrieved on 13 May 2014.
- ↑ Paunescu, Delia (May 4, 2014). New Sexual-Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Singer. Retrieved on May 5, 2014.
- ↑ "First Look at January Jones As Emma Frost In 'X-Men: First Class'", MTV, Viacom, September 8, 2010. Retrieved on September 8, 2010.
- ↑ Bryan Singer Tackles Jack the Giant Killer For New Line. /Film (September 23, 2009). Retrieved on October 28, 2009.
- ↑ "Bryan Singer Officially Set For X-Men: Days of Future Past", October 30, 2012.
External links
- Bryan Singer (Wikipedia)
- Bryan Singer (IMDb)
- 'X-Men' director Bryan Singer targeted in teen sex abuse lawsuit
- EXCLUSIVE: X-Men director's sex abuse accuser is working with Oscar-nominated filmmaker on bombshell expose of Hollywood's sordid underbelly
- Bryan Singer Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Underage Boy
- Bryan Singer's Attorney: Accuser's Witnesses are 'Liars'