Gus Ruelas/Reuters
Director Bryan Singer says an investigative report published Wednesday by The Atlantic—in which four new accusers allege he had sexual misconduct with them when they were underage—is a “homophobic smear piece” that was run to “take advantage” of Bohemian Rhapsody’s success. “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. After careful fact-checking and, in consideration of a lack of credible sources, Esquire chose not to publish this piece of vendetta journalism,” Singer wrote in a statement. “That didn’t stop this writer from selling it to The Atlantic. 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,” he continued. “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.” Singer, who has previously been publicly accused of sexual abuse of young men, was fired as director of the Queen and Freddie Mercury biopic midway through production for what executives called “a pattern of unreliable behavior on the set.”