Vincent Gallo
Tommaso Boddi/WireImage
Brown Bunny actor Vincent Gallo has been accused of making sexually explicit and threatening comments during auditions with actresses for an upcoming film, in a new report from Rolling Stone.
Two actresses who auditioned for victim roles in “The Policeman,” a film starring Gallo as the so-called “Golden State Killer” Joseph James DeAngelo, filed a complaint with the actors' union SAG-AFTRA after Gallo allegedly made comments during the casting process had. SAG-AFTRA responded by launching an investigation into the cast of the film, which was written and directed by Spring Breakers and The Virgin Suicides producer Jordan Gertner and stars James Franco in one of his first roles since being accused of sexual and exploitative behavior his acting school in 2018.
A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said in a comment to : “We are aware of these complaints and are investigating them. We have fully engaged with the production regarding the complaints and will continue to monitor and investigate after filming has completed. We also reiterate our commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment on set.” The spokesperson continued, “As our investigation is ongoing, we cannot address the specifics of the complaint.”
has also reached out to Gallo for comment.
The actresses who complained about the November 2023 castings are given pseudonyms in the Rolling Stone story and remain nameless. One, identified in the story as “Emily,” wrote in her SAG-AFTRA complaint that Gallo told her in a callback that the project was “looking for an actor who has absolutely no limits as, while “He plays DeAngelo, he can decide at any time to shoot in order to improvise texts and sexual acts.”
According to the complaint, Gallo told Emily that she wasn't actually being threatened and that nothing sexual would happen during production, but “I'm going to make sure that it's all simulated and that it looks real, and I'm also going to make sure that it is.” feels real to you. Maybe I'll even ask you to tell a story. When I ask you to tell me about the first time you sucked a cock, I want you to tell me a real story from your real life. I may also notice something about your body and comment on it. It could be positive or negative and it won't be personal, but it will be something real so it feels personal.” Gallo reportedly added, “We don't want to see any acting. When DeAngelo says don't scream or I'll kill you, then don't scream because if you do, you'll die.” According to Emily, Gallo said that she could get the role if she followed these rules.
Another source, named “Jane” in the story, said in her SAG-AFTRA complaint that during a callback for a victim role, Gallo detailed what she called “torture porn fantasies” and told her that the script was “very would bear little resemblance to it.” “The film should be made” because he wanted a completely improvised film. Jane continued, “To truly tell the story 'accurately,' he needed actresses who were willing to be '100 percent controlled by him in mind and body' from the first moment on set,” Jane said Gallo, some possible improvisations could include tying her up with shoelaces, pushing her, pulling her hair, and acting out fake rape or physical assault.
According to Jane, Gallo told her that if she took the role, she would have “no negotiations about what was done to me on set” and that she would have to give her full consent or she would be fired.
A spokesperson for Pacific Media Productions and director Gertner told Rolling Stone that the production, now filming, hired a SAG-AFTRA intimacy coordinator and “production of the picture was conducted in a safe, protective and respectful environment.” The producers, director, cast and crew are proud of the film we have made.”
The news comes on the same day that Anita Hill's Hollywood Commission found in a new report that more Hollywood workers know what constitutes workplace misconduct and how to report it, but that comparatively fewer workers believe it is leads to real changes in the industry with a previous report three years ago. Indie entertainment employees reported more harassment, discrimination and assault than those working on major studio titles.