Bryan Singer still directing Red Sonja, despite recent sexual assault allegations

Director Bryan Singer is still on track to direct Red Sonja for Millennium Films despite recent allegations of sexual assault brought up by a story in The Atlantic.

"I continue to be in development for Red Sonja and Bryan Singer continues to be attached," said Millennium's Avi Lerner in a statement issued to SYFY WIRE through Singer’s publicist. 

Lerner added: "The over $800 million Bohemian Rhapsody has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is testament to his remarkable vision and acumen. I know the difference between agenda driven fake news and reality, and I am very comfortable with this decision. In America people are innocent until proven otherwise."

Lerner was a defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Millennium Films from a former executive in 2017. 

The story published by The Atlantic chronicles multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct leveled against the X-Men and Superman Returns director, from more than 50 sources. Singer has publicly denied the allegations, calling the story in The Atlantic a “homophobic smear piece.”

This is also not the first time Singer has faced allegations of sexual assault and abuse. In 2014, prior to the release of Singer's film X-Men: Days of Future Past, Michael Egan filed suit in federal court accusing the director of drugging and raping Egan when he was 17. Egan subsequently withdrew the suit and his lawyer Jeff Herman issued an apology to the accused.

The character of Red Sonja, a fearless warrior known for her chainmail bikini and long red hair, made her debut in Marvel's Conan the Barbarian comics in 1973. A Red Sonja film starring Brigitte Nielsen in the eponymous role and co-starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was made in 1985. It was a critical and commercial failure. 

Dynamite Entertainment currently publishes a comic book featuring the character.

Although a new Red Sonja film has been in development for years, it was revealed in September that Singer was in talks to helm the project. Ashley Edward Miller (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fringe, Black Sails) was tapped in April to write the script for the upcoming film.