Bryan Singer has been the topic of a lot of controversy including getting fired from Bohemian Rhapsody due to his behavior and an exposé from The Atlantic featuring people claiming that the director sexually assaulted them. Singer fired back saying that it was “a homophobic smear piece.” He was able to keep his directing gig for the upcoming Red Sonja film, but his BAFTA nomination has been suspended due to the allegations.
The BAFTA Film Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) is happening this Sunday, February 10th, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It has announced that Bryan Singer’s Bohemian Rhapsody nomination has been suspended in the Outstanding British Film category. If it won, Singer would be able to receive the award. The film will still be in the Outstanding Film category, but Graham King and Anthony McCarten would be the ones to receive it. The film still has other nominations including Rami Malek for Best Leading Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up & Hair, and Best Sound.
The Atlantic exposé accuses Singer of sexual assault, but he denies the allegations.
“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,” Singer said in a statement. “After careful fact-checking and, in consideration of the lack of credible sources, Esquire chose not to publish this piece of vendetta journalism.”
“That didn’t stop this writer from selling it to The Atlantic,” he continued. “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.”
BAFTA will keep Singer’s nomination suspended until the allegations have been resolved. The awards show wasn’t the first to take action against the director. GLAAD removed the film from its Media Awards nominations.
Singer was fired from directing duties for Bohemian Rhapsody. There were reports of him now showing up on the set, and Rami Malek, who portrayed Freddie Mercury, mentioned his time with Singer during the Santa Barbara film festival.
“My situation with Bryan, it was not pleasant, not at all,” said Malek. “And that’s about what I can say about it at this point.”
Despite the controversy, Bohemian Rhapsody made $833 million worldwide.
Check out the full statement from BAFTA below:
In light of recent very serious allegations, BAFTA has informed Bryan Singer that his nomination for Bohemian Rhapsody has been suspended, effective immediately.
BAFTA considers the alleged behaviour completely unacceptable and incompatible with its values. This has led to Mr Singer’s suspended nomination. BAFTA notes Mr Singer’s denial of the allegations. The suspension of his nomination will therefore remain in place until the outcome of the allegations has been resolved.
For the avoidance of doubt, Bohemian Rhapsody remains nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, and the other individuals named as candidates in respect of the film remain nominees.
BAFTA believes everyone has the right to a fulfilling career in a safe, professional working environment, and it will continue to collaborate with the film, games and television industries to achieve this.
BAFTA will make no further statement on this matter during the period of suspension.
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