Jeff Goldblum defends Woody Allen citing 'presumption of innocence', says wouldn't mind working with him again
Jeff Goldblum has defended Woody Allen over disturbing sexual misconduct allegations that resurfaced against the director amidst the #MeToo movement and said he wouldn't mind working alongside him again as there should be "a presumption of innocence" against the accused.
The comments came during an interview with iNews that was published on November 6, when the 67-year-old actor was asked if he would consider collaborating with Allen again. "I think there is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty," he said. "I know I enjoyed working with him many years ago and I sat in with his band once too."
Indeed, Goldblum had featured as a man who "forgot [his] mantra" in Allen's iconic romantic comedy 'Annie Hall,' which won a total of four Oscars, including 'Best Picture,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Original Screenplay.'
The movie additionally won four BAFTA awards and a Golden Globe and is regarded as one of the greatest films of all-time, with the screenplay topping the Writers Guild of America's list of '101 Funniest Screenplays.'
However, Allen has found himself under increased scrutiny in recent times after the re-emergence of allegations that, in 1992, he inappropriately behaved with his and Mia Farrow's adopted daughter Dylan and touched her "private part" while they were alone together.
He strongly denied the accusations at the time and called it "an unconscionable and gruesomely damaging manipulation of innocent children for vindictive and self-serving motives." He was ultimately found not guilty, though a judge did call his conduct "grossly inappropriate."
Nevertheless, it still prevented the release of his new film 'A Rainy Day in New York' in the US because no company was willing to distribute it.
Goldblum said he was all for the #MeToo movement, but expressed admiration for Allen's work and said he wouldn't stop working with the 83-year-old director because of unproven allegations.
"Even though I feel like this cultural shift is very, very positive and long overdue and I support it wholeheartedly and take it very seriously, I also admire his body of work," he explained. "So I would consider working with him again until I learned something more."
