The distributor has decided not to release the film, after women told the New York Times the comedian masturbated in front of them.
C.K. in a still from I Love You, Daddy.
The Orchard
Indie film distribution company The Orchard announced Friday they will no longer release Louis C.K.’s new film, I Love You, Daddy, a day after the New York Times published an article in which five women accused the comedian of sexual misconduct.
Comedians have condemned C.K. after two women told the newspaper that he exposed himself to them in 2002 in an Aspen hotel room and began masturbating. A third woman said she could hear C.K. masturbating on a phone call.
Lewis Kay, the comedian’s publicist, told BuzzFeed News Thursday that C.K. had no immediate comment on the women’s allegations. “In the coming days, Louis will issue a written statement,” he said. Kay also told the Times that C.K. “is not going to answer any questions.”
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
Prior to the publication of the long-rumored Times story, The Orchard suddenly cancelled the film’s New York premiere on Thursday. There were also reports that actor Chloë Grace Moretz had already dropped out of promoting the film two weeks ago.
In the film Moretz plays China, the 17-year-old daughter of CK’s character, who begins dating a 68-year-old filmmaker that is also an alleged pedophile.
“The Orchard will not be moving forward with the release of I Love You, Daddy,” the distributor announced in a short statement to media on Friday morning.
I Love You, Daddy was self-financed by CK, but The Orchard paid $5 million to release the film in theaters nationwide after its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.
BuzzFeed News has reached out to a representative for CK to check if there are any plans to release the film through CK’s website.
HBO said in a statement on Thursday that C.K.’s past work will be removed from its on-demand services and that the comedian will no longer be participating in the “Night of Too Many Stars” benefit for autism programs.
Meanwhile, FX, which aired the comedy-drama Louie based loosely on his life in standup, said it was “very troubled” by the Times’ report.
“The network has received no allegations of misconduct by Louis C.K. related to any of our 5 shows produced together over the past 8 years,” the network said in a statement. “FX Networks and FXP take all necessary actions to protect our employees and thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct within our workplace. That said, the matter is currently under review.”
LINK: There’s No Way Louis C.K.’s New Movie Can Happen Now