Actors Sterling K. Brown and Keegan-Michael Key responded to accusations by their The Predator co-star Olivia Munn that the cast abandoned her.
Olivia Munn made the accusations against the rest of the cast after she blew the whistle to 20th Century Fox, the studio behind The Predator, and outed convicted sex offender Steven Wilder Striegel. Once the studio became aware of the situation they deleted all scenes that Striegel was part of.
Munn took to Twitter to express how she won’t put the film first especially if a “child has been hurt.”
? @ThomasSadoski Your support means so much. It’s amazing how many people expect you to put the movie first, especially if you’re the lead. On something like this- where a child has been hurt- my silence will never be for sale. And if it costs me my career they can take it. https://t.co/buG6prMWr1
— om (@oliviamunn) September 6, 2018
She went on to explain why she is still doing press for the film, but also noted that she got the feeling that some folks didn’t want her at the premiere for the film. She doesn’t refer to who they are.
I’m contractually obligated. And from what I’m experiencing, I think they’d prefer I not show up. It would make everyone breathe easier. Also, I worked really hard on this film, as did the rest of the cast and crew. Now that the scene is deleted I think audiences will love it. https://t.co/6MZxb4NZfT
— om (@oliviamunn) September 7, 2018
She would elaborate on her situation in a sit down interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR):
.@OliviaMunn: “It’s not an easy thing to be the one to speak up. There are people who get mad at you for not helping them bury it … I’m sitting here by myself when I should be with the rest of the cast” https://t.co/vBnjnVz9cA pic.twitter.com/jP3qReJh64
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 8, 2018
Munn explained “I do feel I’ve been treated by some people as if I’m the one who went to jail or I’m the one who put this guy on our set.”
She would add, “It’s a very lonely feeling to be sitting here by myself when I should be sitting here with the rest of the cast.”
Fellow co-star Sterling K. Brown responded to Munn’s interview with THR.
.@oliviamunn I’m sorry you’re feeling so isolated, my dear. And I’m sorry you’ve been the only one to speak up publicly. I was not at #TIFF so I didn’t have an opportunity to be there with you. There are two main issues as far as I see it. First, what is and is not forgivable?… https://t.co/NQQpoO9kPa
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) September 9, 2018
That’s gonna vary from individual to individual. You and @BonafideBlack may differ when it comes to that issue. I don’t have all the details regarding his friend’s crime, but I know it involves a minor, and he spent time in jail. With regards to forgiveness, I leave that to…
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) September 9, 2018
the individual. What I take issue with, (& I believe Shane addressed this in his apology), is that we all have the right to know who we’re working with! And when someone has been convicted of a crime of a sexual nature involving a child, we have the right to say that’s not okay!
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) September 9, 2018
Our studio was not given that opportunity, and neither was our cast. Especially @oliviamunn who was the only member of the principal cast who had to work with him. I so appreciate that you “didn’t leave well enough alone,” & again, I’m sorry you feel isolated in taking action.
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) September 9, 2018
Thank you to @20thcenturyfox for taking quick action in deleting the scene. @oliviamunn I hope you don’t feel quite so alone. You did the right thing. ?
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) September 9, 2018
Keegan Michael-Key issued his own response through his publicist in USA Today:
“Keegan reached out to Olivia privately last week to let her know how proud he was of her and echoed that sentiment in many interviews since then.”
While Key and Brown issued statements, The Predator director Shane Black has not responded to Munn’s most recent accusation of abandonment.
In fact, Munn seems to specifically call out Black for his decision-making in bring Striegel on board the film.
The #MeToo movement called out abusers. But they’re not the only ones in the wrong. Those who know about abuse and not only do nothing but continue to put abusers in positions of power are complicit. https://t.co/QngLCk9fzj
— om (@oliviamunn) September 6, 2018
Black knew Striegel was a sex offender, but decided to hire him anyways. He noted, “I personally chose to help a friend. I can understand others might disapprove, as his conviction was on a sensitive charge and not to be taken lightly.” He would add Striegel was “caught up in a bad sitaution versus something lecherous.”
However, Black would issue a statement after the revelations in Striegel’s affidavit.
Having read this morning’s news reports, it has sadly become clear to me that I was misled by a friend I really wanted to believe was telling me the truth when he described the circumstances of his conviction. I believe strongly in giving people second chances — but sometimes you discover that chance is not as warranted as you may have hoped.
He continued:
“After learning more about the affidavit, transcripts and additional details surrounding Steve Striegel’s sentence, I am deeply disappointed in myself. I apologize to all of those, past and present, I’ve let down by having Steve around them without giving them a voice in the decision.”
The Predator hits theaters on September 14, 2018.