As the mega-producer begins to cut ties with Broadway screenings and film projects amid abuse, Barry Diller, the financial backer, and key decision-makers have so far stayed out of the battle.
Call it gentle distancing. In the wake of an April 7 Hollywood Reporter In an exposition of Scott Rudin’s abusive behavior, a number of industry organizations and Rudin himself began to address the issue, albeit in vague and toothless ways.
On April 17, Rudin announced that he was withdrawing from ‘active participation’ in his upcoming Broadway projects, but he gave no indication of what this actually means and which plays will be affected. Three days later, he issued a second statement saying he was also moving away from film and streaming projects.
But so far, no industry player or partner with the upcoming Rudin venture has spoken out, and most of the industry keeps mom in the face of allegations on the record that include physical violence. Rudin remains a client at WME, an agency that quickly cuts ties with other clients accused of misconduct, including Armie Hammer and Brett Ratner. But a source from WME quickly pointed out that Rudin is a limited client, only for television.
The lack of action leaves some leading industries feeling frustrated and skeptical. On April 12 Walking Dead producer Gale Anne Hurd contacted the Producers Guild and asked the lead to take a stand on Rudin. So far, the PGA has not said anything, nor has the Academy that Rudin considers a member. “Scott Rudin’s behavior towards his staff is not only an open secret, but also one that has been tolerated for far too long,” says Hurd THR. “Given the deafening silence of the industry for these recent allegations, it seems that nothing is likely to change. It is heartbreaking that none of the film / TV studios, networks or unions have issued a statement in support of the victims of its alleged has not committed criminal conduct. ”
In THRIn the April 7 cover story, several of Rudin’s former staff members described his intimidation, which included throwing articles at each other in the New York office, such as a glass bowl, a baked potato, a teacup and a teacup. staple. At least two staff members ended up in hospital – one from stress and one from Rudin who allegedly hit a computer monitor at the hands of a young man.
A24 has the strongest ties with Rudin, the producer responsible for many of the distributor’s most buzzy and lucrative films in New York, including Lady Bird, Ex Machina and Uncut jewelery. But it has yet to comment on the ongoing relationship with him. A source from A24 tells THR that Rudin is no longer involved with Jennifer Lawrence Red, white and water and Joel Coen’s The tragedy of Macbeth, starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. But it is unclear if this is because the films are already in production. Billionaire mogul Barry Diller, a good friend of Rudin’s, has an interest in the A24 and is, according to sources, a shareholder in Scott Rudin Prods.
As Rudin has been one of the film industry’s most powerful producers for the past 25 years, he’s a titan on Broadway. He and Jane Rosenthal were appointed by the New York Government, Andrew Cuomo, as head of Broadway’s recent Pop Up performances, a partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts and Empire State Development. Rudin’s name was recently considered on April 19 in press releases for the program. Rosenthal declined to comment, as did the governor’s office. Rudin was expected to run the program through Labor Day and was the key player in the talent show.
But outside of Tony winner Karen Olivo, who announced she was going to retire in her lead role Moulin Rouge! – not a production of Rudin – in protest against the apathy of the community against the Rudin accusations, the main decision makers remained out of the fight. Tell a source THR that Musician star Sutton Foster has vowed to halt upcoming production, seen as one of the most anticipated plays that would mark Broadway’s return to a devastating COVID-19 shutdown if Rudin did not step aside. But the drama’s Hugh Jackman does not set such an ultimatum, says another source.
In turn, Olivo does not hold her breath that real change is sweeping Broadway and increasing a status quo “that benefits profits over people”.
‘It’s great news when Rudin actually walks away [Music Man] and to break all ties and not become a co-producer / silent investor, ‘says Olivo. “I would like us to focus on repairing damage to the victims, rather than turning their experience around where Rudin Broadway is doing a favor by stepping down.”
Meanwhile, some of those who have suffered as a result of Rudin’s abusive behavior are speaking out. David Graham-Caso posted an emotional video message on Twitter in which he spoke directly to Rudin. The video sets out alleged abuse suffered by his identical twin brother, Kevin Graham-Caso, by Rudin. Kevin worked for Rudin in 2008 and 2009 and was, according to his brother, ‘complained and humiliated, bullied and intimidated and harassed’ and consequently developed a severe anxiety disorder. Kevin took his own life in October.
Rudin’s statement that he was ‘deeply sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals’ did not impress his surviving brother. “The pain and suffering caused by Scott Rudin will not be cured by the disappearance of an empty PR, cynically designed to avoid real consequences,” says David Graham-Caso. THR. ‘The power to really change things, to save future assistants of a similar fate to Kevin’s, rests with the people who have made Rudin’s abuse as long as possible. If the actors, writers and directors who have worked with Rudin in the past resist this bullying, they have the power to save lives. ”
This story first appeared in the April 21 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to sign up.