Predator Controversy

Nellie Shih ’19, Arts and Entertainment Editor

A scene has been cut from the newest installment of the Predator franchise, due to the casting of Steven Wilder Striegel, a registered sex offender. Streigel’s one scene featured him hitting on Olivia Munn’s character. 20^th Century Fox and the film’s actors had not known about Striegel’s attempted relationship with a 14-year-old girl, whereas director Shane Black, a friend of Striegel, was aware. When the issue was brought to light, Munn asked Fox to cut the scene.

After Munn reached out to her lawyer, manager, and Fox, she reached out to her co-stars so they wouldn’t be blindsided the same way she was. None of her co-stars responded to her, and individuals at the studio chastised her for not keeping the whole situation under wraps. Munn has spoken out about the issue and lack of personal support from the cast and crew.

“The #MeToo movement called out abusers,” Munn tweeted. “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.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Munn elaborated, “It’s the people who are at the top, the people who are colluding to keep abusers in power, the people who are colluding to turn a blind eye so they can just keep making more money. They’re the people who created this disparity in the first place.”

Munn has received tremendous support online, whereas her co-stars have received criticism for failing to appear in interviews with Munn and for failing to address the issue. Sterling K Brown was the first actor to issue a public response: he apologized for isolating Munn, affirmed their right to know who they work with, and stated that he appreciates that Munn “didn’t leave well enough alone.” Co-stars Keegan Michael-Key, Boyd Holbrook, Thomas Jane, Augusto Aguilera, and Trevante Rhodes have since expressed their support for Munn’s sparking conversation and Fox’s decision. Furthermore, director Shane Black has apologized for his “error in judgement,” and takes “full responsibility.”

The Jane Doe of the Striegel case has revealed herself to be Paige Carnes. Carnes asserted that she has spoken out in order to reclaim her identity:

“I am eternally grateful for Olivia Munn’s action. She spoke up for me. She took a stance for me. In turn she stood for all who have suffered like I have … I have no shame for what was done to me. I am not the one who needs to carry that shame … I hope anyone who has suffered like I have regains their voices and their humanity.”

Photo source: https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/olivia-munn-studio-2.jpg?w=700&h=393&crop=1

Sources:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/predator-cast-shane-black-support-olivia-munn-at-la-premiere-1143072?utm_source=twitter

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/olivia-munn-opens-up-predator-controversy-ellen-degeneres-show-video-1142089

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/olivia-munn-talks-predator-controversy-watch-1141264

https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1037813506819518464

https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1040276657284833280

https://twitter.com/SterlingKBrown/status/1038679549058342912

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shane-black-apologizes-predator-sex-offender-1202940839/