'Red Sonja' Producer Backs Down From "Fake News" Statement About Bryan Singer But Still Adamantly Defends Director

After Bryan Singer was the subject of another sexual assault article, featuring four new accusers, many film fans were thinking this would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back and that the director would be ousted from his recently-signed gig on “Red Sonja.” But then came a statement from the producer of the film, Avi Lerner, that was defiant and supported Singer wholeheartedly. Now, days later, the producer has second-thoughts about the content of his statement, but is still 100% behind his director.

Speaking to THR, Lerner says he actually didn’t read the statement before it was sent to the press and says that “it came out the wrong way.” That being said, he doesn’t apologize and is not backing down from supporting Singer through this tumultuous time.

READ MORE: ‘Red Sonja’ Producer Stands By Bryan Singer And Calls Recent Report “Agenda Driven Fake News”

“I have got a reason why I doubt that [Singer] has done it,” he says, referencing the new details in the recent article from The Atlantic. However, as THR suggests, Jonathan Yunger, the co-president of Millenium Films (the production company behind “Red Sonja”), is thought to be a long-time, personal friend of Singer.

“I don’t want to apologize. I just want to clarify [the statement],” Lerner says. “I think victims should be heard and this allegation should be taken very, very seriously. I just don’t agree to judge by the Twitter. I want [the accused] to be judged by the court.”

In light of these cases probably never being brought to court, many pundits suggested that Singer might find it difficult to cast his upcoming film, seeing as how the allegations are once again front page news and his recent dismissal from “Bohemian Rhapsody” point to a director with plenty of baggage. Lerner isn’t worried, however.

READ MORE: Bryan Singer Will Reportedly Earn $40 Million From ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

“Nobody called me, not from one agency,” he says. “I got support by the head of a studio to say, ‘Well done, Avi. You stand by what you believe, and people should be innocent until they are proven guilty.’ Nobody told me that they’re not going to work with me.”

The real test is to see who signs up to take the lead in the film. That actress will, no doubt, be asked a million times about Singer’s allegations, as well as Lerner’s own history of sexual harassment (which was settled out of court in 2017).

No release date is set for “Red Sonja.”