Film distribution company The Orchard has decided to cancel the release of Louis CK’s new movie I Love You, Daddy, following multiple allegations of CK’s sexual misconduct. News about the cancellation came from Deadline. The Orchard also canceled the New York City premiere of the film yesterday, in advance of a lengthy New York Times report about the accusations against CK. The movie was originally set to open in limited release on November 17th.
The New York Times report yesterday detailed the stories of five women who said CK asked if he could masturbate in front of them, or just did so, either on the phone or in person, without their consent. A number of the women were younger and less established comedians who were allegedly approached by CK in a professional setting. The dates of the allegations range from the late ’90s to 2005.
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The fallout from the allegations has been swift. The TV network FX, which hosts CK’s show Louie and the CK-produced series Baskets and Better Things, told Vanity Fair that its relationship with CK was “under review.” Actors Charlie Day and Chloë Grace Moretz, who both have roles in I Love You, Daddy, have backed out of any film promotion. Netflix announced it would not be producing the second stand-up special in CK’s two-project deal with the service. HBO announced yesterday that it was pulling any CK projects, including Lucky Louie, from its streaming service. The network also dropped CK from its upcoming comedy benefit, Night of Too Many Stars.
I Love You, Daddy was a controversial movie even before the Times report came out, but its content looks even more questionable in light of the specific allegations within the Times report. In the movie, CK plays a Hollywood producer whose 17-year-old daughter (Moretz) begins dating a 68-year-old filmmaker (John Malkovich). There’s also apparently a scene in which Day elaborately mimes masturbation while CK is on speakerphone with his girlfriend.
CK is the most recent high-profile figure to allegedly use his power and professional influence as a shield and justification for sexual misconduct. Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Oliver Stone, Amazon Studios head Roy Price, director Brett Ratner, and Dustin Hoffman, among others, have all been accused of various offenses of sexual harassment and assault.
I Love You, Daddy could presumably still be picked up by another distribution company, but given Hollywood’s response to CK, that seems unlikely right now. CK’s publicist told Vanity Fair that CK is preparing a “written response” to the allegations.
Source: Tech CNBC
The distributor of Louis CK’s 'I Love You, Daddy' has canceled its release