While rumors have circulated for years regarding about popular comedianLouis C.K.sexually assaulting women, those rumors were reported yesterday in aNew York Times story. Multiple women said that C.K. forced them to watch him masturbate and then they were strong-armed into staying silent. It’s a sickening story and the fallout has been immediate.
The Orchard, which purchased C.K.’s new filmI Love You, Daddyout of the Toronto International Film Festival for $5 million, has completely scrapped the release of the film, which was set to open in limited release next Friday. The film centered on a television producer (C.K.) whose teenage daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz) starts dating aWoody Allentype (John Malkovich). C.K.’s character also has a friend (Charlie Day) who keeps miming masturbation in front of people. A movie that was billed as “provocative” back in September,I Love You, Daddynow seems like C.K. showing off his invulnerability yet hiding behind the notion that “everyone’s a pervert” as his character says.
Other companies are also getting out of the C.K. business. HBO has dropped all of C.K.’s past work for the network including his comedy specials and short-lived seriesLucky Louieand they’ve also removed him from the lineup of the upcoming comedy specialNight of Too Many Stars. I imagine in the days to come, FX, which produced and distributed his hit seriesLouie, will follow suit, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Netflix also removes his standup specials. [Update:Varietyreports that Netflix has canceled the second standup special they had planned with C.K.]
The removal of C.K.’s work is the latest in an attempt by Hollywood to clean up its act, or at least force out the individuals whose repulsive behavior has finally come to light. Earlier this week, we learned thatRidley Scottwould completely remove all scenes containingKevin SpaceyinAll the Money in the Worldandrecast Spacey’s rolewithChristopher Plummer.
