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Justice League star accuses Warner Bros bosses of "racist conversations"

Photo credit: Rick Kern - Getty Images
Photo credit: Rick Kern - Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Justice League star Ray Fisher has alleged that Warner Bros bosses "had and entertained" what he referred to as "blatantly racist conversations" during the movie's reshoot process.

Fisher, who made allegations of "abusive, unprofessional" behaviour against director Joss Whedon earlier this year, has spoken out about the investigation into on-set and behind-the-scenes conduct once again, telling Forbes that he believes "the erasure of people of colour from the 2017 theatrical version of Justice League was neither an accident nor coincidence".

The Cyborg actor singled out "top-level executives" at the studio, including producers Geoff Johns, Jon Berg, and Warner Bros Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich.

Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images
Photo credit: Kevin Winter - Getty Images

Related: Justice League star Ray Fisher responds to Warner Bros' investigation claims

Fisher said: "Prior to Justice League's reshoot process, blatantly racist conversations were had and entertained – on multiple occasions.

"I realised that the notes I ended up getting from [Geoff] Johns during reshoots were just a coded version of the racist things he was saying with behind closed doors with the other execs," he alleged.

None of the individuals identified by Fisher responded to Forbes' request for comment in response to the allegations.

"There were massive blow-ups, threats, coercion, taunting, unsafe work conditions, belittling, and gaslighting like you wouldn't believe," Fisher added, echoing allegations made previously about Joss Whedon's "gross, abusive, unprofessional and completely unacceptable" behaviour.

Fisher added that "these things affected many people across various departments. Warner Bros. Pictures has tried to make it seem as if these issues are mine and mine alone."

He continued: "A lot of folks from the cast and crew reached out to show their support, some expected and some less so. I've tried my best to handle things privately and to let HR process play, but the only thing that seems to move the needle has been me applying pressure publicly."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Whedon suggested Fisher's comments were "false".

"The individual who offered this statement acknowledged that this was just something that he had heard from someone else and accepted as truth, when in fact simple research would prove that it was false," the statement reads.

"As is standard on almost all films, there were numerous people involved with mixing the final product, including the editor, special effects person, composer, etc. with the senior colourist responsible for the final version's tone, colours, and mood.

"This process was further complicated on this project by the fact that [original Justice League director] Zack [Snyder] shot on film, while Joss shot on digital, which required the team, led by the same senior colourist who has worked on previous films for Zack, to reconcile the two."

Dismissing pushback from the Warner Bros team, Fisher went on to insist that he was "not worried about the consequences" of speaking out.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Related: Justice League stars Ray Fisher and Jason Momoa question Warner Bros investigation into on-set conduct

"The people that have shared their stories with me have put themselves at great risk, both personally and professionally. I will protect them at any cost," he said.

"I'm well aware of what's at stake," he continued. "If people don't want to work with me because I'm refusing to tolerate abusive behaviour and the coverup culture of old Hollywood, then so be it."

Warner Bros has previously accused Fisher of failing to cooperate with its investigation into his allegations.

"Warner Bros remains committed to accountability and to the well-being of every cast and crew member on each of its productions," it said in a statement.

"It also remains committed to investigating any specific and credible allegation of misconduct, which thus far Mr Fisher has failed to provide."


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