Bryan Singer's 'Red Sonja' (Finally) On Hold After Rape Allegations

It sure took long enough, but Bryan Singer’s next film has finally been put on hold.

Singer was recently the subject of an exposé in The Atlanticdetailing multiple accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, including statutory rape.

It wasn’t the first time the director had been accused of such behaviors, and from the sound of it, it’s unlikely to be the last.

But now, with Millennium Films putting Singer’s Red Sonja remake on hold and award programs removing Singer and Bohemian Rhapsody from nominations, he may finally be seeing some sort of consequences.

Avi Lerner, Red Sonja’s producer who has a questionable past regarding sexual harassment claims himself, had previously spoken out in Singer’s defense, insisting the film would continue as planned.

“The over $800 million Bohemian Rhapsody has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is a testament to [Singer’s] remarkable vision and acumen,” Lerner said. “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.”

The breezy approach Lerner took to the situation shocked and outraged people who had been calling for Singer’s dismissal. The producer later claimed the statement was written by someone else and he never actually read it before it was published on his behalf.

However, he later added: "I got support by the head of a studio to say, 'Well done, Avi. You stand by what you believe, and people should be innocent until they are proven guilty.'"

The concern over Singer’s involvement with Red Sonja goes beyond simply not wanting an accused predator to stand to make another $40 million for phoning in his job. In fact, the film is actually about a sexual assault survivor, a backstory many believe Singer of all people has no business going near.

And with this latest development, they may get their wish.

Millennium Films told Deadline yesterday that “the project is not on the slate at the moment.” Though Singer has not technically been removed from the movie, which was supposed to be shot in Bulgaria later this year, filming appears to be on hold for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully Millennium takes the situation seriously and opts to remove Singer entirely and replace him with a different (maybe even female!) director, rather than simply canning the project entirely. It’s time to stop allowing Singer to have this much power.