Armie Hammer has defended himself after “spurious attacks” were made against him following explicit messages supposedly sent by the actor being leaked online.
The actor laid out his defence as he confirmed that he had quit an upcoming movie with Jennifer Lopez due to the social media backlash.
The star of films such as The Social Network and Call Me By Your Name, was due to appear opposite JLo in Shotgun Wedding.
However, the actor and the production studio have now stated that he will no longer take on the role.
The controversy revolves around explicit and sexual messages about rape fantasies, BDSM and cannibalism thought to have been sent by Hammer were leaked.
Hammer said in a statement: “I’m not responding to these b******* claims but in light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for 4 months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic.
Lionsgate is supporting me in this and I’m grateful to them for that.”
A production spokesman said: “Given the imminent start date of Shotgun Wedding, Armie has requested to step away from the film and we support him in his decision.”
Jennifer Lopez was concerned about working with the actor following the accusations and a source close to her said: “There have been a lot of phone calls and meetings about if they can still make the movie with Armie as the romantic lead.”
Hammer began to trend on Twitter over the weekend after the graphic Instagram messages were posted by the anonymous and now private account House of Effie. One message says: “I am 100% a cannibal. I want to eat you. F***. That’s scary to admit. I’ve never admitted that before.”
He then goes on to say in other messages: “You just live to obey me and be my slave. I will own you. That’s my soul. My brain. My spirit. My body. Would you come and be my property till you die? If I wanted to cut off one of your toes and keep it with me in my pocket so I always had a piece of you in my possession?”
It is important to point out that the messages are yet to be proven to be written by him.
The messages go back to 2016 although others are from February 2020, when he was still married to his estranged wife.
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