WarnerMedia has completed their investigation into “Justice League” director Joss Whedon after Ray Fisher claimed Whedon “ordered that the complexion of an actor of colour be changed in post-production” for the 2017 film.
“WarnerMedia’s investigation into the ‘Justice League’ movie has concluded and remedial action has been taken,” a statement to Variety read. They would not clarify what “remedial action” included.
Fisher, who played Cyborg in the movie, also commented on the investigation via Twitter, confirming that WarnerMedia told him, “WarnerMedia appreciates you having the courage to come forward and assist the company with creating an inclusive and equitable work environment for it’s employees and partners.”
He also noted that some remedial action has been taken already, but there is “some that is still to come.”
– And this statement (which truly belongs to ALL who participated in the investigation):
“WarnerMedia appreciates you having the courage to come forward and assist the company with creating an inclusive and equitable work environment for it’s employees and partners.”
2/3
— Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) December 12, 2020
Fisher added, “There are still conversations that need to be had and resolutions that need to be found. Thank you all for your support and encouragement on this journey.”
There are still conversations that need to be had and resolutions that need to be found.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement on this journey.
We are on our way.
More soon.
A>E
3/3
— Ray Fisher (@ray8fisher) December 12, 2020
Fisher previously made the accusations in an interview with Forbes.
“What set my soul on fire and forced me to speak out about Joss Whedon this summer was my becoming informed that Joss had ordered that the complexion of an actor of colour be changed in post-production because he didn’t like the colour of their skin tone,” Fisher said.
Furthermore, the star also claimed that Warner Bros. film bosses participated in “racist conversations” around the film.
He continued, “Prior to ‘Justice League’s’ reshoot process, blatantly racist conversations were had and entertained —on multiple occasions— by former and current top level executives at Warner Bros. Pictures.”
Meanwhile, Fisher alleged that Whedon had many of the roles of colour minimized, including Zheng Kai’s Ryan Choi and Kiersey Clemons’ Iris West.
RELATED: Jason Momoa Backs Up Ray Fisher’s ‘Justice League’ Allegations: ‘This S**t Has To Stop’
Addressing those who doubt his claims, he added, “You really have to ask yourself, what’s more plausible—that I would purposely torpedo my career by making statements about powerful figures in Hollywood, that, if untrue, could be easily refuted. OR a handful people in positions of power said and did terrible things in order to maintain that power during a massive corporate merger.”
Whedon took over directing “Justice League” from Zack Snyder who had to step aside for personal reasons. The much anticipated Snyder Cut will be released in 2021 and is expected to include the roles referenced above.
Whedon is issued a denial in a statement obtained by Entertainment Weekly.
“The individual who offered this statement acknowledged that this was just something that he had heard from someone else and accepted as truth, when in fact simple research would prove that it was false,” said Whedon.
“As is standard on almost all films, there were numerous people involved with mixing the final product, including the editor, special effects person, composer, etc. with the senior colourist responsible for the final version’s tone, colours, and mood,” he continued. “.This process was further complicated on this project by the fact that [original director] Zack [Snyder] shot on film, while Joss shot on digital, which required the team, led by the same senior colourist who has worked on previous films for Zack, to reconcile the two.”
