I really have been through a JOURNEY of emotions with Rami Malek during this awards season. My feelings have gone from “yay, he’s the only person who should be saved from the garbage dump of a Bryan Singer film” to “stop yelling at Rami, he was attacked by Bryan Singer too” to “Wow, Rami really said the wrong thing about not being aware of the allegations against Bryan Singer” to “please don’t let Rami be the Oscar favorite.”
It’s not that I dislike Rami or want him to be canceled. There’s enough evidence out there to suggest that he didn’t have a say in Singer’s hiring to direct Bohemian Rhapsody, and Rami was a big part of why Singer was fired. But not having to take a public hit on Bryan Singer is not the same as wanting Rami to win the Best Actor Oscar. I’ve really changed my mind on that – a month ago, I was fine with it. But now? Lord, I do not want Rami to win. He’s still campaigning though, which explains his comments about Singer at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival:
On Singer’s alleged victims: “My heart goes out to anyone who has to live through anything like what I’ve heard and what is out there. It’s awful, it’s remarkable that this happens, I can appreciate so much what they’ve been through and how difficult this must be for them. In the light of the #MeToo era that this somehow seems to exist after that, it’s a horrible thing.”
He doesn’t want to talk too much about Singer: Pivoting to his own experience with the director, the star said he found it difficult to talk about because he didn’t want to take away from the focus on Mercury and Queen, but said he doesn’t “want anyone to not feel like they can share their story…I’ve sat here and talked about how everyone deserves a voice and anyone who wants to talk about what happened with Bryan deserves to have their voice heard. In my situation with Bryan, it was not pleasant, not at all. And that’s about what I can say about it at this point.”
He reminds people that Singer was fired: “For anyone who is seeking any solace in all of this, Bryan Singer was fired. Bryan Singer was fired, I don’t think that was something anyone saw coming but I think that had to happen and it did.”
“Being fired for causes unrelated to alleged criminal behavior” and having to face legal, criminal and long-standing career consequences for allegedly raping and molesting multiple men and boys are very different things. I understand what Rami is saying, that Singer was fired and that’s a good thing. But… that’s not all that we should expect or hope for, you know? That’s not justice. That’s not what justice looks like. As for “In the light of the #MeToo era that this somehow seems to exist after that”... dudes really think “Me Too” was a magic wand that got waved over Hollywood and now no one gets abused or raped or victimized or harassed, huh? *sigh* I miss the simplicity of just canceling Casey Affleck outright and not having all of this bloody nuance.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I still want Rami to win. He was amazing. (Plus I love him so much on Mr Robot) That being said I will never pay another dime to see a Bryan Singer movie.
I’m glad you were first comment b/c these are my thoughts exactly.
Singer is still credited for the tv show The Gifted. Even if he has been removed as credited executive producer is he still influential in the production?
You have to go a step higher and not see any movie by a studio that produces his films…. in fact, Lerner of Millennium Films has said he doesn’t believe any of it. So if there is a movie by Millennium Films, I’d urge you to not see those either.
What is the point of a actor having all these ‘people’ on their payroll to look into these things before hand.
So that tells me someone did tell him about Singer and he did not care and now has to change his tune because he being called on it, which, he thinks that he is entitled to not have done.
Remi can win, lose, it doesn’t matter. He can just go away.
I honestly believe there are so many abusers in Hollywood (perhaps just rumours floating around, but most people can’t be sure if they’re true or not) that it’s often impossible for actors to avoid them.
If it’s not the director, it’s the producer. Or perhaps one of the executives. Or the acting star of the film has shady reputation from their past. Etc.
I believe something pretty similar. The more men you cross paths with in whatever your line of work is, the more likely you are to cross paths with someone who has either sexually assaulted/harassed someone, physically abused someone, or is a bigot. That doesn’t even account for the fact that there are female abusers and bigots too.
It was the members of Queen who wanted Brian singer to direct, they’re the ones who should explain themselves. An actor with no power in Hollywood shouldn’t be blamed.
I DON’T want him to win, simply because he’s so thirsty for it. Too little too late. Go, Christian Bale!
This is the hazard of Oscar campaigns. I ranged from indifferent to kind of liking this guy…now I’d be overjoyed to never see his face again.
Interesting that they’re clearing now feeling he has to comment. Hmmmm. Boy it would have been meaningful if he had said something before his Oscar was at risk. Now I just rolled my eyes.
Oh and Singer got fired for work problems. If that hadn’t happened Malek and the others would have happily finished their film with an accused child rapist. End of story. And gross.
Something tells me Mia, he will go away.
I don’t see a ounce of growth in his career if he does win. A well deserved Oscar curse.
Happily finished? Unlikely, given how UNHAPPY Rami was working with him before he was fired.
He is only commenting on Bryan Singer and the victims because he’s afraid that he might lose the Oscar. Geeez, maybe he should’ve spoken up before people started questioning him. He’s so thirsty and greedy!
Well… at least he’s not pulling a Cate Blanchett.
Being dragged and blamed for a powerful man’s misbehavior?
I saw all the movies up for best actor and I must say that Christian Bale was outstanding. His range is amazing.
I dont get the hate towards Rami. People criticize him more because hes in a public forum, but sometimes I wonder if the same people who judge people here would do the same in their every day lives. And just because you know about certain allegations about someone doesn’t mean everyone knows. Sometimes you go through life minding your own business, not because you dont care but because you have other things to worry about.
He REALLY wants that Oscar.
Can we really blame actors for wanting to win the Oscars, the most respected award in their field?
I’ve seen an interview with Ian McKellen and he spoke about Oscar campaigning: How all actors have to do it, but they all feel embarrassed. I believe him.
“Can we really blame actors for wanting to win the Oscars, the most respected award in their field?”
No. Even though any benefit to it is very brief.
But…
Can we really blame actors for wanting to win the Oscars at the expense of further legitimizing and enriching an accused child rapist and using Freddie Mercury’s ghost as an excuse and shield?
Ummmmm, let me think out it…YES.
How does Malek winning an Oscar benefit Singer? You just said even for Rami the benefit is brief. I know actors get a raise in profile and better negotiating position for both roles and salary. But it’s up to them and their right decisions to monetize it.
The only thing Singer benefits from Rami winning is perhaps a few dollars (but not much considering how much he’s been paid) if people all of a sudden flock to see BR for Malek’s win alone. Which I doubt they will. The movie has made so much money already Singer is already seen as beneficial in that sense. And his reputation of a good filmmaker will not swing just for that either. At this point, I really don’t see how it matters.
Now, Singer winning an Oscar himself would be a different thing, because that would mean Academy still supports him personally.
(I should say I actually don’t support Malek and I think his Freddie statement was bulls and I also believe he knew of Singer’s reputation before it all blew up – but I can’t blame him for desiring to win the most prestigious award and campaigning for it.)
“How does Malek winning an Oscar benefit Singer? ”
In monetary bonuses yes, but more importantly… “Hey Actor X we have an offer for the new Bryan Singer movie! What? Oh yeah those stories are out there. Not much came of it. Yeah a few people squawked online, but Rami won the Oscar! Yep a Globe and SAG too. Plus $800 million movie! Yeah…it’s really not a big deal. Just a few haters on twitter. Rumours. Could be an Oscar contender…just like Rami! No one really cared. Oh we can come up with some talking points, sympathy with anyone who goes through it, court of law and all that. OK? Great!”
Welcome to Hollywood, it appears you’re new here?
What you’re describing is Hollywood again turning a blind eye on molestation (no surprise there) and it has nothing to do with Rami’s potential Oscar. Unless your point is that contaminated filmmakers will have no problem signing talent (which they will do regardless, so I see that as a moot point – perhaps not A-list, but B- and C-list actors will be happy to oblige – award potential or not – because these people need work; Rami wasn’t A-list either).
Where I absolutely agree with you is that Bohemian Rhapsody shouldn’t be nominated at all – but The Academy did not take a moral stance on this one. Nor should Rami win, I agree.
What we disagree on, is that Rami shouldn’t campaign now for the Oscar. He did work hard on the film and wants to get the statuette, and should have every right to campaign.
Part of me feels like he can’t really say anything because of legal reasons. Maybe i’m stupid but I would assume that Bryan probably still has multiple law suits that are still on going and that there could be some sort of gag order put on the cast and crew by the studio…but who knows.I still want him to win since he is one few actors of color and one of middle eastern descent that has had/having success not falling into archetypal characters.
There are no current lawsuits, no gag orders. He’s tap dancing around because he literally could not be more THIRSTY for an Oscar, even at the expense of further legitimizing an accused child rapist. It’s gross, no other word for it.
I’m with you on where I’ve ended up on Rami. And he’s also not telling the whole truth – Singer still makes money off the movie and he was invited back to work on the editing. Between the Singer issues and how this movie handled Mercury’s sexual orientation I do t want it to win any more awards. It and Green Book should both go home empty handed.
Rami says how much Freddie meant to him…………………………….how do you think Freddie would feel finding out he was working with an abuser like Bryan Singer considering the abuse/racism he suffered?
I finally got to read the lengthy the Atlantic piece on Singer during the weekend. And before that I would roll my eyes at whatever Rami had to say but now I am kind of ok with him. First of all he did not have any say in the matter. The Atlantic indicates that the studio and film execs had doubts about Singer even before he was hired (though all for wrong reasons, such as him being late and possibly being sued for asssault/harassment rather than for actual numerous assaults and pedophia). It was Queen members who insisted on Singer and said the film is not happening without him . So just consider what difference it would make if Rami declined the role. Zero in my opinion. The only difference is they may have ended up with some second tyre actor and the film would not get as much attention. But it still would have been made the way Queen members want it. So i am puzzled as of why Queen doesn’t get any more heat for this and it is Rami who has to take the hit, while he clearly was shut out of decision making process. I keep saying that in this whole Queen story the remaining members of the band come off the worst. First, they could not get their shit together for almost 30 years to make Freddie’s story a reality. While I don’t intend on watching the film, from what I have read about it, it twists and turns fact and portrays Freddie in rather negative way, or did his story justice telling it in a nuanced way. Then. I am sure any director in Hollywood would love a shot at making Freddie’s story but remaining members insisted on Singer. Just think about that.
Punishing Rami won’t achieve anything rather the question remains why there is such a concentration of power, the actors and other movie industry people would rather ignore the stories or facts and feel like if they want to work they have no other choice than to ignore these stories.
I get why actors would ignore rumors to pursue great career opportunities AND it still majorly irks me his stupid response. My personal stance is to just not support films with problematic directors/actors/whatever. In this case Brian Singer is the problem so I’m not going to watch this movie. If Rami wants to do another film that looks interesting to me and is not directed or produced by any rapists then I’ll go see it.
I understand everyone’s point and I don’t know his work since I haven’t watched Mr Robot or BR but I think we are all being unreasonable to believe an up and coming actor would pass the chance to play Freddy Mercury because of “allegations”. Yes it sounds terrible and I don’t condone it but we know how the movie industry is and him turning down that role would have been career suicide, and he’d probably be blackballed.
We want better I know but can we expect people to give up on their wildest dreams when they’re at the palm of their hands?
I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He worked hard for the movie and he wants an Oscar he might not get. He’s speaking out – even if he does so in a questionable way. Let that be the lesson.
“In the light of the #MeToo era that this somehow seems to exist after that, it’s a horrible thing.” Huh? #MeToo was like a year ago. Brian Singer has been horrible since – what – the 80’s? Does he know what #metoo means? It doesn’t mean that all prior grossness suddenly never happened and will never happen again. Especially with willingly ignorant men not giving a f*k other than to shake their heads when it comes up in conversation.
He’ll win the Oscar, I’d bet on it.
My personal standard is, if I knew about it, so did they.
I’m nobody in Hollywood, so if I knew about Harvey Weinstein so did Merle Street.
If I knew about Bryan Singer, so did Rami Malek.
When they deny it, they’re cancelled as far as I’m concerned.
Because I knew it and had read it dozens of times in both cases before it hit the mainstream. How could they not know?
Honesty I enjoy the Oscar campaigns more than the show itself.
Haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody yet, but I like Malek in other things, so no opinion on whether he deserves it. But I think he’s making the best of a bad situation (eg. coming from a genuine place)
Rami Malek can’t talk about Bryan Singer while he’s fulfilling his contract of doing the Oscar campaign. The millions the studio has invested in trying to erase the controversial director as much as possible from the narrative is astounding.