Producer Scott Rudin will “take a step back” from his film and streaming projects, in addition to his Broadway productions, following allegations of his abusive behavior at work. Rudin, whose upcoming films include Netflix’s “The Woman in the Window” and A24’s “People,” said he “will take the time to work on personal issues I should have had a long time ago.”
The announcement comes as top talent and studios were worried about working with Rudin following a report in The Hollywood Reporter that provided detailed accounts of subordinate aggression. The new comments followed a letter on Saturday in which Rudin said he was “returning” from Broadway, his main axis of power in the last decade. He produced hits such as “Book of Mormon” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“When I commented over the weekend, I focused on the successful reopening of Broadway and not wanting my previous behavior to diminish everyone’s efforts to return,” Rudin said. “It is clear to me that I should take the same path in film and streaming. I am deeply sorry for the pain my behavior has caused me and I am taking this step with a commitment to growth and change. ”
It is not entirely clear what the “step back” will entail, if Rudin will benefit from the projects and if he will continue to be credited as a producer.
“A lot has been written about my history of disturbing interactions with colleagues and I am deeply sorry for the pain that my behavior has caused people, directly and indirectly,” Rudin said.
In The Hollywood Reporter, Rudin was shown throwing things at employees, including a stapler and baked potatoes, cursing staff and threatening them with career pay if they left their jobs and broke a computer monitor. an assistant, sending him to the emergency room.
Rudin’s downfall is a sign that the movement around workplace culture that initially focused largely on issues of sexual harassment has shifted to other forms of abusive behavior. It could have consequences for other executives and power players who have a reputation for degrading their staff.
Initially, actors, Broadway players and filmmakers were largely silent on the allegations. That changed over the weekend. During a live conversation on Instagram, Sutton Foster, who was to play in a renaissance produced by Rudin of “The Music Man”, spoke on behalf of her and her co-star, Hugh Jackman. Foster said both actors hope to create “an incredible, safe, inclusive, loving, amazing environment for everyone involved.”
Also Sunday, the twin brother of former assistant Rudin, Kevin Graham-Caso, addressed the producer in an emotional post on social media, demanding “real consequences” from the entertainment industry for Rudin’s alleged behavior. The late assistant’s friends spoke variety On Monday, he offered e-mails at the time echoing Graham-Caso’s brother’s claims that working time under the producer was emotionally damaging.
Rudin is one of the most successful producers in the history of entertainment, after winning an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and 17 Tony Awards. Her films include “No Country for Old Men”, “Lady Bird”, “The Firm” and “The Truman Show”. He was still active in the prestigious space, recently acquiring the rights to the best-selling “Shuggie Bain”, but he no longer had the major support of the studio he once enjoyed. Tastes shifted from the pedigree dramas and comedies that Rudin preferred to do in favor of the superhero fare, although he continued to work regularly.