Latest news with #DayoftheFight
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Boardwalk Empire' Star Michael Pitt Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges
Michael Pitt, an actor known for roles in 'Boardwalk Empire' and 'Dawson's Creek,' has been arrested in New York City on charges of alleged sexual abuse. According to the indictment and court records obtained by Variety, Pitt was arrested and arraigned at Kings Supreme Criminal Court in Brooklyn on May 2 over four separate alleged incidents between April 2020 and August 2021. He was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, counts of a criminal sexual act in the first and third degree, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of attempted assault and one count of strangulation in the second degree. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, and according to TMZ, posted bail and was released from custody. His next court appearance is set for June 17. More from Variety Dabney Coleman, '9 to 5' Star and 'Boardwalk Empire' Actor, Dies at 92 'Day of the Fight' Review: Another Broken-Down Boxer Travels the Comeback Trail Jack Huston's Directorial Debut 'Day of the Fight' to Open Mill Valley Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE) The New York Post, which first broke the news of Pitt's arrest, reported that the charges stem from an ex-girlfriend. The indictment alleges that, between April 2020 and August 2021, Pitt subjected her to sexual contact by means of forcible compulsion, engaged in oral sex with her without consent, attacked her with a four-by-four piece of wood and cinderblock and 'applied pressure on the throat or neck' causing 'stupor, loss of consciousness or other physical injury.' Jason Goldman, an attorney for Pitt, told Variety in a statement: 'Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unhinged individual. In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, at a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual and voluntary relationship. This case will be dismissed.' Pitt has had a previous run-in with the law, occurring after the alleged sexual abuse. In July 2022, he was arrested and charged with assault and petty larceny after striking another man several times and taking his phone. That September, he was hospitalized after being accused of throwing items at people from a rooftop. The actor has most recently been working in film, starring in three projects in 2023: the thriller 'Asphalt City,' crime drama 'Reptile' and boxing film 'Day of the Fight.' Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Actor Michael Pitt Accused of Sexual Abuse, Strangulation by Ex-Girlfriend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Actor Michael Pitt allegedly sexually assaulted his girlfriend and later attacked her with a cinderblock and a slab of wood, prosecutors said in an indictment announced Wednesday. Pitt, 44, was arrested on Friday in Brooklyn and later charged with two counts of sexual abuse and related counts for four alleged incidents between April 2020 and August 2021, the indictment obtained by Newsweek shows. In one alleged attack, all of which occurred at Pitt's Bushwick home, the "Boardwalk Empire" star strangled his then-girlfriend in August 2021, causing "stupor, loss of consciousness" or other injuries, according to the nine-count indictment. Actor Michael Pitt at a screening for "Day of the Fight," a 2023 film he starred in alongside Steve Buscemi, in December in Los Angeles. Actor Michael Pitt at a screening for "Day of the Fight," a 2023 film he starred in alongside Steve Buscemi, in December in Los Angeles. Eric Charbonneau/KCFEOLA PR via Getty Images Two months earlier, Pitt, also known for his roles in "The Dreamers" and "Funny Games," allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a cinderblock, the indictment shows. Pitt is also accused of attacking the woman with a "four by four" piece of wood in August 2020 and forcibly touching her during another incident months earlier in April 2020, prosecutors said. Read more Who Is Michael Pitt: Everything to Know About the Talented, Troubled Actor Who Is Michael Pitt: Everything to Know About the Talented, Troubled Actor Pitt — who was charged with two counts of sexual abuse, two counts of second-degree attempted assault, first-degree criminal sex act, third-degree criminal sex act and second-degree strangulation — pleaded not guilty and was released from custody after posting $100,000 bail. He's due back in court on June 17, prosecutors said. An attorney for Pitt said the actor and his former girlfriend, who was not identified, had been in a committed relationship during the alleged attacks. "Unfortunately, we live in a world where somebody like Mr. Pitt — an accomplished professional who would never so much as contemplate these crimes — can be arrested on the uncorroborated word of an unhinged individual," attorney Jason Goldman told Newsweek in a statement. "In reality, this baseless claim is suspiciously raised some four or five years after the alleged incident, at a time when the two parties were in a completely consensual and voluntary relationship. This case will be dismissed." Pitt, 44, at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 in Cannes, France. Pitt, 44, at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 in Cannes, France. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Pitt's arrest marks the latest legal woes for the actor, who was charged with petty larceny and assault in July 2022 for allegedly hitting a man multiple times in the head and taking his phone during a dispute in Brooklyn. Months later, in September 2022, Pitt was hospitalized following a "public outburst" in Brooklyn, where he allegedly threw objects at people from a rooftop. Police responded to the scene and took him into custody, but he wasn't charged, TMZ reported at the time.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Original cut of Star Wars to get rare screening at BFI
The second edition of the British Film Institutions (BFI)'s Film on Film festival is due to take place in London this summer with a memorable opening night for Star Wars fans. Director George Lucas's original cut of Star Wars, which was released in 1977, has rarely been shown in public since he produced special editions of the trilogy in the 1990s, complete with new CGI characters and other controversial alterations that fans remain frustrated with. Examples of some unpopular changes include the CGI addition of the giant slug-like Jabba the Hutt, who originally was not seen on screen until the final film in the original trilogy, 1983's Return of the Jedi. Fans also opposed the change to the scene in which Harrison Ford's Han Solo originally shot the bounty hunter Greedo dead in the Mos Eisley cantina on Tatooine. The 1997 special edition version was edited so that Greedo fires first to give Solo more justification for acting in self-defence. But the scene has since undergone further revisions, with the two firing at nearly the same time, then finally at the exact same time. In 2004, Lucas told the Associated Press that he was 'sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it, but I want it to be the way I want it to be'. Film on Film will present Star Wars exactly as experienced by audiences on its original release on the big screen. The original cut can only be accessed legitimately by means of an out-of-print VHS release or a low resolution DVD bonus feature from 2006. James Bell, senior curator of fiction at the BFI National Archive, said: 'One of the ambitions of the BFI Film on Film Festival is to screen original release prints that transport audiences back to the moment a film was first released. He added: 'In the case of Star Wars, the festival screening is a unique opportunity to present the film to audiences in exactly the same form as they would have watched it in 1977.' Some other films that will be screened at the festival include early Stanley Kubrick classics such as Day of the Fight (1951) and The Killing (1956) as well as 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). This year's Film on Film festival is set to take place between 12-15 June at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX.
See - Sada Elbalad
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Elephant Man Joseph Merrick Biopic in Works with Jack Huston Attached to Direct
Jack Huston, known for his acting work in Boardwalk Empire and American Hustle, has been tapped to direct a biopic centered on Joseph Merrick, the deformed Victorian-era artist known as The Elephant Man. Phoenix Pictures is backing the movie, titled "Joseph Merrick", which will be produced by Kate Cohen, Mike Medavoy and David Dobkin. Huston will also produce. Production is looking to begin later this year. Merrick was an object of fascination during his life, and his story resonated beyond his lifetime. He was a man who was incredibly deformed and was used as a circus freak while a teenager before becoming an object of curiosity in London society as well as scientific circles, but he was also an artist whose work broke beyond the limits of his sometimes confined life. David Lynch directed an Oscar-nominated biopic that starred John Hurt in 1980, titled "The Elephant Man". Merrick also appeared in countless books, shows, plays, and even an opera. According to the producers, the biopic will offer a fresh and deeply emotional perspective on Merrick's remarkable life, illuminating the untold story behind the legend. Nick Yarborough wrote the script. 'I've long been fascinated by the life of Joseph Merrick — marked by unimaginable adversity, yet defined by his profound kindness, perseverance and strength,' said Huston in a statement. 'His journey is a testament to what we are capable of when we choose love and compassion over cruelty and indifference. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to explore the lesser-known parts of Joseph's astonishing life, and I'm honored to have the chance to collaborate with such a passionate and dedicated team.' The project will look at Merrick's final months, and, according to the producers, explore his transformative journey and the unexpected, life-altering relationships he forms along the way. As Merrick discovers moments of true connection and humanity, the film will shine a light on the profound, often overlooked aspects of his experience, challenging what audiences think they know about his life and legacy. Medavoy added, 'This project has been a labor of love for all of us, and we've been relentless in our search for the right filmmaker to bring Joseph Merrick's story to life. From the moment I saw Jack Huston's Day of the Fight, I knew he was the perfect choice to tell the story. Among the many things that have excited me is that the way Jack sees this story reminds me of Milos Forman when we made One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I couldn't be more thrilled about the poetry, wit, and feeling of human empathy that he will bring to this.' Huston, who also starred in "Fargo" (season four) and "House of Gucci", will next be seen in the upcoming series "Spider-Noir" with Nicolas Cage. He made his directorial debut with "Day of the Fight", a boxing drama he also wrote and on which he was a producer. The movie premiered at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and went on to win numerous awards for Huston throughout its festival run.
The Guardian
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ron Perlman on Hellboy, the LA fires and Trump: ‘A snake-oil con-artist who'd sell you bad vodka and swampland in New Jersey'
Ron Perlman could be mistaken for Will Ferrell's grumpy older brother. Today, however, he mostly looks trapped. That slab of a face, frosted with a white beard and moustache, seems too formidable to be contained by the narrow vertical frame of his iPad camera. Wearing a stonewashed grey denim jacket over a black shirt, he peers down at me, brow crinkled, as if from a great height. It's like being on a Zoom call with Goliath. Though he introduces himself as 'Ron from Brooklyn', the actor, who is a few weeks shy of 75, is sitting at home in Los Angeles. No, the fires didn't touch him, but the nearest ones were only three miles away, close enough to make him jittery. 'Scary times,' he says. His voice rumbles like a freight train. Tom Waits, whom he was once plausibly but falsely rumoured to be playing in a movie, sounds like Charles Hawtrey by comparison. Perlman has lived in LA since the 1980s, when he was one of the leads in the hit romantic fantasy series Beauty and the Beast. (The Terminator's Linda Hamilton was the other.) He won a Golden Globe award and received two Emmy nominations for the show. But Perlman's fame was curiously manageable. He got the best restaurant tables, yet no one knew what he really looked like beneath the leonine disguise he wore for the role. One magazine voted him the sexiest man of the year – in his Beast makeup. No prosthetics were needed for his new film, the atmospheric, old-fashioned, black-and-white boxing drama Day of the Fight, in which he plays Stevie, who is training Irish Mike (Michael Pitt) for his latest bout. 'When you say 'old-fashioned', I mean, sure, no one's wearing spandex,' Perlman concedes. 'But it's all about friendship and love. Mistakes, victories and failures. To me, that's not old-fashioned. It's the kind of movie I could wallow in for days.' The director is Jack Huston, whose grandfather John made the sweat- and booze-soaked 1972 boxing classic Fat City. Day of the Fight conveys a decent sense of life in a spit-and-sawdust gym, and features some high-calibre cameos (Joe Pesci, Steve Buscemi). The worst you could say is that there's not enough Ron Perlman in it. But it proves that he has few equals when it comes to evoking an entire existence in a flash. He growls his first line ('Hey asshole!') and most of the others, which include 'Kid, I love ya' and 'Get da fuck outta here!' Leading roles aren't his thing anyway, unless you count occasional grotesques such as the carnival strongman in the twisted dreamscape of The City of Lost Children (1995), co-directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie), or the horned, tomato-red hero of Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy adventures. Del Toro stood his ground against the studio, which wanted to cast The Rock or Vin Diesel, and modelled the character so closely on Perlman that when the actor flirted with using a different voice, the director said: 'What are you doing? Just be Ron Perlman and that will be Hellboy.' Personality-wise, there isn't much separating him from his infernal alter ego. 'The character's number one charm is that he's a bit of an underachiever,' Perlman says. 'He's a superhero who'd rather watch the Marx brothers and play with his cats and eat pizza than save the world. But he does it because the world is a fucking mess. Someone's got to. He does it reluctantly. And that's how I do everything.' If Perlman sees himself as an underachiever, directors don't agree. Many have kept coming back to him for more. He made three films with Jeunet, the best of which is the cruelly underrated Alien Resurrection (1997). Three with Jean-Jacques Annaud, too, including the ones that launched him as a film actor after a decade in theatre, and established him as the king of performing in prosthetics: first, the prehistoric Quest for Fire (1981), for which a glossary of grunts and growls was specially devised by Anthony Burgess; and second, a chilling adaptation of Umberto Eco's medieval whodunit The Name of the Rose (1986), in which Perlman's character was falsely accused of Satanism and burned at the stake. Spending four or five hours in the makeup chair for these films, and for Beauty and the Beast, led to him being called the Lon Chaney of his generation. It served a psychological purpose, too. 'When I was a young man, I was so uncomfortable in my own skin. I was given this gift of putting layers of stuff between me and the real world so that I could free myself to play these characters. Then in my mid-40s, I experienced a kind of détente with my body: 'Oh, maybe you're not so bad after all.'' His relationship with del Toro has stretched from the Mexican auteur's gory 1992 debut, Cronos, to Nightmare Alley (2021) and Pinocchio (2022), with only the occasional gap. 'He has a feel for my skillset, which is limited,' Perlman says. Does he really think that? 'Well, I was hoping you might correct me,' he deadpans. When I do, perhaps a fraction too late, he perks up: 'There you go! I was spearfishing for validation and I got what I wanted.' In 1990, del Toro, then a special-effects makeup expert, sent him a handwritten fan letter. At the meeting that followed, Perlman witnessed the budding director's unorthodox approach to dinner. 'Guillermo said, 'I like to start with dessert.'' At the end of the meal came soup. 'By the time we stood up, we were like brothers who had been separated at birth.' Once shooting on Cronos was finished, Perlman threw a Hollywood bash for del Toro – he calls it his 'I've found this genius film-maker and I want you all to meet him because he's going to become one of the greats' party. Hamilton brought along her then partner James Cameron, which sparked an enduring friendship between the Avatar director and del Toro. That means Perlman can be indirectly credited for the moment at the 1998 Academy Awards when Cameron – furious that Harvey Weinstein had sacked del Toro from his second film, Mimic – nearly lamped him with the Oscar he had just won for Titanic. 'We all wanted to take a crack at Harvey,' shrugs Perlman. The closest he ever got was urinating on his own hands before pressing the flesh with the feared producer. Recounting that story on Twitter in 2018 led Perlman into a spat with Donald Trump Jr, who accused him of knowing about Weinstein's predatory behaviour and yet doing nothing. 'I never said I knew Harvey was a rapist,' Perlman shot back. 'I did know he was a prick, though.' It was the start of an outspoken streak that he has only recently reined in. He was the last of the cast members of Sons of Anarchy, the series in which he played the leader of a biker gang, to join Twitter. 'They were all saying, 'Ron, it's fun!' I didn't have any desire to exercise that muscle until the arrival of our 45th – and now 47th – president. I'd grown up in New York so I knew everything there was to know about that snake-oil salesman con-artist. I was so offended to see this guy who'd sell you shitty steak and bad vodka and swampland in New Jersey now emerging in a leadership position. And yeah, it got hot and heavy.' You could say that. At one point in 2020, Perlman challenged Republican senator Ted Cruz to a fight online. The actor was still taunting Republicans last summer, when hopes were high for Kamala Harris to take the presidency. He tweeted at Elon Musk: 'Yo elon! [sic] You sweating yet?' He was hardly alone in believing the election would have a happier outcome. How is he dealing with the fallout now? 'I was gonna ask you,' he says glumly. 'It's all still as impossible to process as the fires in LA. This is going to have to run its course.' It's a long way from Hellboy. But then he offers a glimmer of hope: 'I'm spending a lot of secretive time working on my version of counteracting. If I get lucky, I'm going to go back to being very public again.' Political ambitions? 'No. A counter-movement.' Wait, what? 'If I have anything to announce, I'll come to you, I swear to God. But that's all I'm going to say for now, my friend.' I think back to his description of Hellboy, and how he goes off reluctantly to save the world because it's a mess. Well, someone's got to. Why not Ron Perlman? Day of the Fight is streaming on the Icon Film Channel, and is in cinemas from 7 March
