Jason Momoa backs Ray Fisher's dispute with Warner Bros over abuse, Internet calls for 'accountability'
As tensions have been brewing between actor Ray Fisher and Warner Bros over their alleged "abusive and unprofessional" behavior on the set of the superhero film Justice League, his co-star Jason Momoa has landed in the battle to support Fisher. Fisher took to Twitter to write, "It really is a shame that @wbpictures willfully chose to publicly undermine the seriousness of the toxicity and abuse that myself and others have reported to WB HR and Labor Relations. They tried to minimize me as being an actor with petty creative differences. They failed."
It really is a shame that @wbpictures willfully chose to publicly undermine the seriousness of the toxicity and abuse that myself and others have reported to WB HR and Labor Relations
— Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) September 7, 2020
They tried to minimize me as being an actor with petty creative differences.
They failed.
A>E
Moments later, actor Jason Momoa who stars as Aquaman in the DC universe commented on Fisher’s allegations against Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns and Jon Berg through an Instagram story with the caption "#IStandWithRayFisher." Elated with the support from the fellow co-star, Fisher, who plays the role of Cyborg, then posted a screenshot of the story on Twitter expressing how "accountability" is a bigger virtue than "entertainment".
Let’s Go!!! #BORGLIFE
— Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) September 7, 2020
Accountability>Entertainmenthttps://t.co/pqIt2POLhI pic.twitter.com/lE4luinqin
The dispute between Warner Bros and Fisher
In July, we reported that Fisher accused Joss Whedon, who took over directorial work on Justice League following Zack Snyder's departure due to a family tragedy, of "gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable" behavior on the set of the superhero film. He further alleged that the producers of the film, Johns and Berg enabled Whedon's conduct and pointed to the fact that Whedon disempowered his Black character, Cyborg, in the film.
As a result of the accusations, WarnerMedia and Warner Bros conducted an investigation into Fisher’s claims. However, the media house stated that Fisher was not cooperating with the investigator it hired to probe into the matter and that Fisher failed to serve evidence to substantiate his claims. “Warner Bros. remains committed to accountability and to the well-being of every cast and crew member on each of its productions. It also remains committed to investigating any specific and credible allegation of misconduct, which thus far Mr Fisher has failed to provide,” its spokesperson said as quoted by Variety.
Warner Bros, also denied the actor's later allegation that DC Films President Walter Hamada asked Fisher to relent on Johns and stress solely on Berg and Whedon as reported by CBR. However, Fisher denied being non-cooperative and posted about an email that he sent on August 26 after meeting with the Warner Bros. investigator. He wrote that Warner Bros was trying to discredit his claims, "Thank you all for the support and for seeing through @wbpictures desperate and scattershot attempt to discredit me to continue protecting those in power. I met with the investigator via Zoom on August 26th. Below is an email I sent to my team and @sagaftra immediately."
Thank you all for the support and for seeing through @wbpictures desperate and scattershot attempt to discredit me to continue protecting those in power.
— Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) September 5, 2020
I met with the investigator via Zoom on Aug 26th. Below is an email I sent to my team and @sagaftra immediately after:
1/2 pic.twitter.com/TWTHv68G9Q
In September, the rounds of allegations by Fisher on Warner Bros continued. He alleged that Johns once called him into his office using "backchannel communications" and made a "veiled threat" against his career, according to a report by Variety. He alleged that Johns contacted him in 2018 "to gloat that there’d be another Cyborg being used in the DC Universe in a show that he was producing," the site further reported. The show Fisher references is likely 'Doom Patrol' which starred Joivan Wade as Cyborg on the DC Universe streaming service.
#IStandWithRayFisher trends
After his latest tweet and support from Momoa, Fisher has garnered a lot more backing from his fans under #IStandWithRayFisher who want more accountability from Warner Bros. A fan wrote, "This is a big reason why we fought for the Snyder Cut release. The unprofessional behavior from Johns/Whedon towards the Snyder family, cast and crew. Getting the movie is just the first step. Now Geoff Johns & Whedon need to be held accountable!"
This is a big reason why we fought for the Snyder Cut release. The unprofessional behaviour from Johns/Whedon towards the Snyder family, cast and crew. Getting the movie is just the first step. Now Geoff Johns & Whedon need to be held accountable!
— Phantasm (@maskofdphantasm) September 7, 2020
Some fans noticed how unhappy Fisher looked back during his shoot days. "One can read body language. Fisher looks so unhappy. Something he was made to say. He looks towards JM like a younger brother looks to his older bro. The line sounds rehearsed. The body language screams agony. Hard not to feel bad for him."
One can read the body language. @ray8fisher looks so unhappy. Something he was made to say.He looks towards JM like a younger brother looks to his older bro. The line sounds rehearsed. The body language screams agony. Hard not to feel bad for him. #IStandWithRayFisher pic.twitter.com/L3kA92zHh7
— Kirk Rashi 🦀 (@aloopakalu) September 8, 2020
Others are adoring the solidarity shown by Momoa for Fisher. “JASON MOMOA POSTS SUPPORT FOR @ray8fisher ON HIS INSTA STORY. We love to see it. Kings supporting Kings.”
JASON MOMOA POSTS SUPPORT FOR @ray8fisher ON HIS INSTA STORY.
— 🏴 #AssociateProducer #ZSJL 🤘🏻🔥🤘🏻 (@KelvinRuthven) September 8, 2020
We love to see it. Kings supporting Kings. 🤘🏻🔥🤘🏻#IStandWithRayFisher pic.twitter.com/c0nYpOpSzv
Another concurred, "Jason Momoa is awesome for supporting Ray."
Jason Momoa is awesome for supporting Ray#IStandWithRayFisher
— Megat Danial #BORGLIFE A⧁E (@megatdanial) September 8, 2020
Many are content that the truth is finally coming out in open. "So much sh*t happened behind the scenes during reshoots. The movement came to be. And it became more than just a movie. The truth is coming out and now we are also trying to fix Hollywood. So yeah. A lot came from it."
So much shit happened behind the scenes during reshoots
— The Collector⚒️ (@TheCollector198) September 8, 2020
The movement came to be
And it became more than just a movie
The truth is coming out and now we are also trying to fix Hollywood
So yeah
A lot came from it #BlackLivesMetter #IStandWithRayFisher pic.twitter.com/8ypUIuEfPw
It's yet to be seen what the probe into allegations made by Fisher unearth.