From Variety‘s Matt Donnelly: “In a last-minute decision, Apple has canceled a planned gala screening of George Nolfi‘s The Banker, one of the tech company’s flagship original films that was meant to close AFI Fest on Thursday in Hollywood.
“Netflix has stepped in and will screen Noah Baumbach’s acclaimed Marriage Story in its place.
“’We purchased The Banker earlier this year as we were moved by the film’s entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy,’ Apple said in a statement. ‘Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest.”
Deadline‘s Pete Hammond: “A family member has leveled some troubling allegations about Garrett Sr’s son, Bernard Garrett Jr. and shared them with at least one Hollywood trade paper” — i.e., The Hollywood Reporter — “which is planning a story.”
Whatever’s going on, this feels like another black eye for Apple. Not, I feel, because of the “troubling allegations” (which I’m presuming have something to do with the #MeToo realm) but because they seem to have over-reacted. Apple has also pulled FYC trade ads for The Banker.
The Banker is slated to open on 12.6. It was directed and co-written by George Nolfi, and co-written by Niceole Levy.