SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014 ‘X-men’ director accused of assault on teen boy

lawyer for “X-Men” director Bryan Plied with drinks Singer on Thursday dismissed as Egan, who grew up in Nebraska, moved Adefamatory claims that the filmmaker first to New York, where he did some model- sexually assaulted a former child model and ing, and then to Los Angeles, where he was aspiring teenage actor. The alleged victim, invited to parties. “I had drugs put in drinks, I Michael Egan III, said in a lawsuit that Singer had liquor poured down my throat,” Egan forced him to have sex at parties in California said, saying the abuse happened in one par- and Hawaii in the late 1990s, when he was 17 ticular house. “I was raped numerous times in years old. But Singer’s lawyer said the allega- that house, by numerous individuals. “You tions were absurd, and that the timing of their were like a piece of meat to these people, release was designed to generate maximum they would pass you around between them,” publicity ahead of the release of the latest “X- Egan said, calling his attackers “evil.” Men” movie next month. In terms of threats, he recalled one time “The claims made against Bryan Singer are when a gun was put in his mouth. “As a child, completely without merit. We are very confi- I was scared to death,” Egan said. Egan, now 31, said he told his mother about the abuse at dent that Bryan will be vindicated in this the time and that she went to the police absurd and defamatory lawsuit,” said Marty about it. The LA Police Department brought Singer, who said he is not related to the direc- in an agent from the Federal Bureau of tor. “It is obvious that this case was filed in an Investigation, but the case was not pursued. attempt to get publicity at the time when “It fell on deaf ears,” Egan told reporters at a Michael Egan III looks to his attorney Jeff Herman as they brief the media in Los Angeles Bryan’s new movie is about to open in a few Beverly Hills press conference. “Then I basical- on a lawsuit alleging the ‘X-Men’ director Bryan Singer sexually abused him.—AFP weeks.” ly buried it in me, as deep as I possibly could, “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” starring and I developed a problem with drinking to Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Hugh numb that pain for years.” He began going to Jackman is due out on May 23 in the United trauma therapy 11 months ago and then Williams in talks to reprise States, and around the world on that date or a sought legal action. few days before. His lawyer Jeff Herman denied the timing In the lawsuit, Egan alleged that Singer of the lawsuit was linked to the upcoming “X- ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ role “manipulated his power, wealth, and position Men” film release, saying it was due to a legal in the entertainment industry to sexually “window” in Hawaii that meant he has to file ox 2000 is developing the abuse and exploit the underage plaintiff before April 24. And Herman-who specializes sequel to the 1993 hit comedy through the use of drugs, alcohol, threats and in sex abuse cases, including representing vic- F“Mrs Doubtfire,” which starred inducements.” He suffered “catastrophic psy- tims of Catholic clergy in the United States- Robin Williams. The follow-up will chological and emotional injuries” because of said he will likely file another three or four be penned by “Elf” writer David the abuse, added the 13-page legal docu- lawsuits. “Hollywood has a problem with the Berenbaum, the studio’s spokes- ment filed Wednesday in Hawaii. sexual exploitation of children,” he said.—AFP woman, Chelsey Summey, con- firmed on Thursday. While no deals are in place yet, Williams and Chris Days after shooting, Columbus are in talks to join the production, Summey said. The 62-year-old Williams would ‘Virunga’ debuts at Tribeca reprise his role as Mrs. Doubtfire, and Columbus would be back to ays after the director of Africa’s oldest defenders. direct and produce with his compa- national park was shot by gunmen, a Directed by British filmmaker Orlando von ny 1492. Williams starred in “Mrs Ddocumentary about those who protect Einsiedel, “Virunga” depicts the desperate strug- Doubtfire” as struggling actor Daniel Virunga National Park from armed poachers and gle by de Merode and the park rangers to pro- Hillard, a father of three who dis- encroaching oil interests premiered at the tect the park and its wildlife from armed militias, guised himself as Scottish nanny Tribeca Film Festival. The debut Thursday night rebels and an oil company. “It’s obviously very Mrs Doubtfire to spend time with his of “Virunga,” named after the eastern Congo tragic what’s happened, but a lot of people have kids. The former wife of Williams’ park, followed the shooting Tuesday of taken interest in this. It’s helped to magnify Daniel was played by Sally Field. Emmanuel de Merode, the chief warden of things,” said von Einsiedel, who has been in fre- Pierce Brosnan also starred. The In this April 28, 2012 file photo, Robin Williams Virunga. He is in serious but stable condition quent contact with De Merode while he recov- original film made over $400 million appears onstage at The 2012 Comedy Awards in after being attacked by three gunmen while ers from gunshot wounds to his abdomen. worldwide.—AP New York.—AP driving through the park. De Merode, a Belgian “Emmanuel is very conscious of that, too. He’s royal, appears extensively in the documentary, like, ‘I’m getting better. Now let’s go make a lot which provides a striking portrait of the violence of noise about what’s happening,’” von ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ end credits to surrounding the majestic park and its dauntless Einsiedel said. The Congolese government has authorized feature ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ scene oil exploration in the park by London-based ver wanted to see the X-Men and Spider- keting venture, fans should not expect them to SOCO, following the discovery of oil in 2010. The Man together on the big screen? Well team up on any official creative ventures regard- World Wildlife Fund has protested the legality of Eyou’ll soon be able to - sort of. A scene pro- ing the Marvel heroes anytime soon. “The that decision. Virunga is a World Heritage site moting Fox’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” will Amazing Spider-Man 2” is set for release May 2, listed by UNESCO as “in danger.” The park is appear during the end credits of Sony’s “The while “X-Men: Days of Future Past” hits theaters best known as home to about a quarter of the Amazing Spider-Man 2.” The end-credits sting three weeks later on May 23.—Reuters world’s estimated 800 remaining mountain features Jennifer Lawrence reprising the role of gorillas. It’s the only place on Earth were one Mystique, opposite her “X-Men: First Class” co- can see all three African great apes. The park star Lucas Still and “X-Men” newcomers Evan includes the snowcapped Rwenzoria mountains, Jonigkeit and Josh Helman. Mystique engages a seven volcanoes, a lake and plains filled with group of military men and gets to show off her wildlife. trademark fighting skills. While this is not a direct crossover, it does mark the first time that the two studios have Powerful company partnered in the promotion of their respective “This is a British company operating illegally Marvel properties. Fox holds the rights to the X- in a World Heritage site,” said von Einsiedel. Men characters, while Sony has the rights to the There’s like .05 percent of the world’s surface is a Spider-Man universe. (And Disney owns Marvel.) World Heritage site. If we can’t protect those, The studios have made previous attempts to what does it say for the Great Barrier Reef, for merge their brands in the past. Most notable, Six years old Justin, right, poses with a Yellowstone, for Yosemite?” In meetings filmed there were discussions to include the Oscorp person dressed as Spider-Man during a Journalist Melanie Gouby, left, and film- with hidden cameras, “Virunga” shows local building, a key landmark from the Spider-Man fan event with the actors of the movie maker Orlando von Einsiedel pose before SOCO supporters attempting to bribe park series, into the New York skyline for “The ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ prior to the their interview about the film ‘Virunga,’ workers to circumvent de Merode, arguing that Avengers.” Unfortunately, nothing came to pass. movie’s premiere in Berlin, Germany, Thursday in New York.—AP “he’s the one hindering the process.” —AP While the studios have partnered on this mar- Tuesday, April 15, 2014.—AP