Actor Gérard Depardieu returns for a new cinematic venture
Following Gerard Depardieu's arrest in April on sexual assault charges, there were plans for him to star in a new movie. However, it seems that flick is now being produced without him due to the massive backlash about his involvement.
As per The Sun, the French actor was let go from the comedy-thriller "Travel Agents." An unnamed source informed the tabloid that the outrage over Depardieu's casting was too intense, prompting a sudden change of heart from the producers. The source said, "Travel Agents is a significant project with high anticipation. The team in charge didn't fancy steering the narrative towards this contentious casting." A preliminary agreement had been reached with Depardieu's reps, but it never progressed to a contractual stage.
Depardieu cries "media witch-hunt"
Over 20 women have accused Gerard Depardieu of sexual misconduct. Investigations relating to these allegations, including those made by actress Charlotte Arnould in 2020, have been ongoing in France. In December 2023, actress Hélène Darras accused him of sexual assault during a 2007 film shoot. Depardieu, who hasn't worked on any film since 2021, denies all the allegations. In an article published in Le Figaro last year, he labeled himself as a victim of a "media witch-hunt."
Depardieu was detained and interrogated by police over two women's allegations of assault during the filming of "Les volets verts" in 2021. A set designer and a production assistant accused him of making sexual remarks to the set designer and physically assaulting her. Depardieu allegedly made inappropriate comments and, according to reports from Mediapart, forcefully grabbed her around the waist, stomach, and breasts. Depardieu's bodyguards reportedly intervened. Depardieu is set to stand trial in October to address these charges.
