Bryan Singer ‘suspended’ from BAFTA nomination over sexual abuse claims
Bryan Singer has denied all allegations against him (DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty)
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) has suspended Bryan Singer from the list of nominees for his work on Bohemian Rhapsody over further sexual abuse claims made against him.
Singer had been named in the nominees list for outstanding British film, however, his name now been removed.
The director’s film Bohemian Rhapsody will remain nominated in the outstanding British film category, BAFTA said in a press release.
Other individuals shortlisted for awards for their work on the Queen biopic, including Rami Malek for his role as Freddie Mercury, will also stay nominated.
BAFTA suspends Bryan Singer over “very serious allegations” of sexual abuse
“In light of recent very serious allegations, BAFTA has informed Bryan Singer that his nomination for Bohemian Rhapsody has been suspended, effective immediately,” reads the BAFTA press release.
“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.”
“BAFTA considers the alleged behaviour completely unacceptable and incompatible with its values. This has led to Mr Singer’s suspended nomination.”
—BAFTA press release
The suspension of Singer comes after the GLAAD Media Awards pulled Bohemian Rhapsody from its nominees for best original film because of the sexual abuse allegations against the director, which he has denied.
In January, four new accusations of sexual misconduct were made against Singer in an article published by The Atlantic for its March 2019 issue.
A number of lawsuits previously brought against Singer in 1997 and from 2010 onwards, alleging that he assaulted minors, have since been dismissed.
Bohemian Rhapsody is in the running for seven BAFTA awards, also including the categories for cinematography, editing, sound, costume design, and make up and hair.
Other BAFTA nominations for Bohemian Rhapsody remain after Bryan Singer is suspended from Best Director
The BAFTA press release continues: “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”
Bohemian Rhapsody, released in November, stars Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
Bohemian Rhapsody, for which Singer could reportedly make $40 million, remains nominated for five Oscars, including Rami Malek for best actor.
On January 23, Singer denied the new sexual abuse claims, instead describing The Atlantic‘s reporting as a “homophobic smear piece.”
The Atlantic‘s article includes sexual misconduct claims made against Singer involving four teenagers, including a then-13-year-old boy.
Singer was fired as director of Bohemian Rhapsody by 20th Century Fox from in December 2017, with producers citing his “unreasonable behaviour on set.”
Dexten Fletcher, who is uncredited in the movie, replaced Singer for the last couple of weeks of filming.
