Do Singer allegations hurt Bohemian’s Oscar chances?
DIRECTOR BRYAN SINGER hasn’t been involved with the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody for over a year, but with a fresh exposé alleging that he sexually assaulted minors and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts “suspending” his nomination, will he be the film’s Oscars Achilles heel?
Bohemian Rhapsody has had a lifetime’s worth of trials and setbacks on its 10-year journey to the big screen. And yet despite everything working against it - from Singer’s surprise firing mid-production for absences and clashes with the cast, to the negative reviews right before its release - it seems to have come out of the fires unscathed. The $50 million production became a global box-office phenomenon, grossing over $209 million in North America alone and over $834 million worldwide to become the most successful musical biopic of all time. It developed into a top awards contender too, winning the best drama and best actor for Rami Malek at the Golden Globes, while also receiving two key Screen Actors Guild nominations, a Producers Guild nod and five Oscar nominations, including best actor and best picture.
But then on January 23, almost exactly a month before the Oscars and one day after its nominations, The Atlantic magazine published an article in which four men claim they were sexually abused by Singer while underage. Singer has denied the allegations.
The next day, the advocacy group GLAAD removed the film from its Media Awards nominees, and four days later, Bohemian Rhapsody lost the coveted SAG ensemble award to Black Panther. The SAG voting period ended on January 25, two days after The Atlantic article published. As if a precursor to what might happen at the Academy Awards, Malek walked away with his own acting prize.
BAFTA (the awards were held last night) announced that Singer’s nomination suspension because the alleged behaviour was “completely unacceptable and incompatible” with its values.
Singer was kept far away from the publicity tour but retained his directing credit and could stand to make $40 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Golden boy Malek
The Atlantic article didn’t exactly light Hollywood on fire, either. Singer is still lined up to direct another movie for a $10 million payday. And people still like
Bohemian Rhapsody.
“I don’t see too many people even upset about the controversy” said Glenn Whipp, the awards columnist for the Los Angeles Times. With just a few weeks to go before the Academy Awards, hardly anyone is predicting a Bohemian Rhapsody best picture win. But the general sentiment is that a loss won’t be because of Singer.
Malek, on the other hand, seems to be a lock for best actor in spite of everything.
“An actor told me that if
Bohemian Rhapsody won best picture he would quit the academy,” Whipp added. “But he’s voting for Rami Malek for best actor,” said Whipp.
An actor told me that if Bohemian Rhapsody won best picture he would quit the academy. But he’s voting for Rami Malek for best actor.” Glenn Whipp