Apple cancels premiere of its debut movie The Banker starring Samuel L. Jackson after co-producer and son of film's real-life protagonist is accused of sexual assault by his half-sisters
- The Banker is Apple's first feature film, and is based on the true story of Bernard Garrett Sr. - a black man who built a banking business in the 1950s
- Garret Sr's son, Bernard Garrett Jr., worked as a co-producer on the new film, which is set to stream on Apple TV Plus
- However, Garret Jr. has now been accused of sexually molesting his younger half-sisters back in the 1970s
- In light of the allegations, Apple has scrapped plans to premiere The Banker at the AFI Film Festival on Thursday night
- Garrett Jr.'s name has also been removed from promotional materials
Apple has abruptly cancelled the premiere of its first original feature film amid explosive accusations that one of its co-producers molested his younger half-sisters in the 1970s.
The Banker, a drama based on the true story of black financier Bernard Garrett Sr, was pulled from Thursday night's schedule at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles after the allegations were leveled at co-producer and Garret Sr's son, Bernard Garrett Jr.
Garrett Jr. earlier this month appeared at a promotional event for the film about his father, which is set for a limited release in cinemas next month before its set to stream on Apple TV Plus.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cynthia Garrett, one of two daughters Garret Sr. had with his second wife, recently contacted Apple about the abuse she says she and her other sister, Sheila, suffered at the hands of their older half-brother.
Cynthia and Sheila - who are around 15 years younger than Garrett Jr. - say the abuse began in the early 1970s without their father’s knowledge.
In a statement, Apple did not directly address the reports, saying only: 'Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest.'
Garrett Jr.’s credit as a co-producer has reportedly been removed from publicity materials.
Apple has abruptly cancelled the premiere of its first original feature film, The Banker, amid explosive accusations that one of its co-producers, Bernard Garrett Sr, sexually assaulted his half-sisters in the 1970s
The Banker starring Samuel L.Jackson (left) and Anthony Mackie was to premiere at AFI Fest in LA Thursday night but Apple canceled the screening citing 'concerns' about the movie
In The Banker, Anthony Mackie stars as Bernard Garrett Sr., a black man who built a banking business in the 1950s and 60s after using a white man (Nicholas Hoult) to be the face of his company.
Samuel L. Jackson also stars as Garrett Sr's business partner Joseph Morris.
In 1968, Garrett Sr. and Morris were convicted of misusing bank funds and sentenced to prison.
Garrett Jr.(right) took part in an industry event with The Banker's director George Nolfi and co-writer Niceole R. Levy on November 5 (pictured) but has since been removed from publicity materials for the movie and his further appearances on behalf of the movie have been canceled
The real Bernard Garrett Sr. is pictured here in 1965. The Banker is based on his adventures in the banking business during 1950s and 60s
Garrett Jr. took part in an industry event with The Banker's director George Nolfi and co-writer Niceole R. Levy on November 5 but has since been removed from publicity materials for the movie and his further appearances on behalf of the movie have been canceled.
An attorney for production company Romulus Entertainment told The Hollywood Reporter that Garrett Jr. stepped down as a producer recently to avoid taking attention away from his father's story.
In The Banker, Mackie stars as Bernard Garrett, a black man who built a banking empire in pre-Civil Rights era of the 50s and 60s with help from business partner Joseph Morris (Jackson)
Cynthia and Sheila and their mother Linda are not portrayed in The Banker which focuses instead on Garrett Sr's relationship with his first wife, Eunice, portrayed on screen by Nia Long.
Apple purchased the drama earlier this year and plan to release it in theatres on December 6.
It is then scheduled to be available via the Apple TV Plus streaming platform.
According to THR.com, Apple had been considering running an Oscar campaign for The Banker.
AFI has said it would replace Apple's The Banker with a screening of Noah Baumbach's Netflix release Marriage Story as its closing-night film.
Apple purchased the film earlier this year and had plans for a theatrical release on December 6 as well as making it available via the Apple TV Plus streaming platform
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