Earlier this month, Marvel fans rang in the 20th anniversary of 20th Century Fox’s first X-Men film, which changed the blockbuster landscape and ushered in the modern influx of superhero movies. But unfortunately, the film’s legacy has gotten more complicated in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against director Bryan Singer that were detailed in a story published in The Atlantic last year. Singer’s reputation has sunk even lower due to claims of unprofessional behavior on his last two X-Men films and Bohemian Rhapsody. But now, a new report alleges that these behavioral patterns stretch farther back than the last few years.
The Hollywood Reporter just published its own story that grants new insight into Singer’s conduct on X-Men and X2. The story offers accounts from several individuals who worked behind the scenes. But perhaps the most shocking revelation involves a stunt gone awry while filming X2. Apparently, producer Tom DeSanto tried to halt shooting after he learned that Singer was “incapacitated” after taking an unspecified drug.
Despite DeSanto’s best efforts, Singer pressed on with a scene that took place onboard the X-Jet near the movie’s conclusion. Unfortunately, the stunt coordinator wasn’t there to supervise, which caused Hugh Jackman to bleed while cameras were still rolling. Fox ultimately sided with Singer and told DeSanto to return to Los Angeles. But when the cast got wind of this, they confronted Singer in full costume in his trailer and threatened to quit unless DeSanto stayed. The encounter also notably ended with Halle Berry remarking to Singer, “You can kiss my Black ass.”
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The report also makes note of an ugly dispute over who received screenplay credit for the first X-Men movie. Fox brought a number of writers onto the project, including Ed Solomon, John Logan, James Schamus, and Christopher McQuarrie. In the end, David Hayter received sole credit, a fact that doesn’t sit well with some of THR’s sources who allege that Solomon and McQuarrie wrote most of the finished film.
THR also revisits allegations made by then-18-year-old Alex Burton, who briefly appeared as Pyro in the film. Not long after X-Men’s premiere, Burton filed a civil suit against three of Singer’s cohorts, alleging they drugged and sexually assaulted him. Burton would later change his name and drop out of the entertainment industry.
You can share your thoughts on these latest allegations against Bryan Singer in the comment section below.
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