Apple has canceled a festival premiere of an upcoming movie starring Samuel L. Jackson after distressing allegations against the son of the real-life subject of the film came to light.
The media company canceled showing "The Banker" at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles on Thursday, with an Apple rep saying in a statement that "some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention" last week.
Apple did not go into specifics, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Bernard Garrett Jr., credited as a co-producer of the film, is accused of molesting his half-sisters years ago.
"The Banker" is based on the true story Garrett Jr.'s father, who was black, enlisting a white man to be the face of his financial business in the 1960s.
The sisters _ Cynthia and Sheila Garrett _ claim Garrett Jr.'s alleged abuse began in the early 1970s and went on for a few years. He is about 15 years older than them and was living in the same home as them at the time, according to THR.
Before the cancellation, "The Banker" _ which stars Anthony Mackie as Bernard Garrett and Jackson as a partner of Bernard _ was scheduled to close out the AFI Fest.
"We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps," a rep for Apple said. "In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest."
The AFI Fest was to be closed out Thursday by "Marriage Story," which stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver.
"The Banker" was set to be a major project for the Apple TV+ streaming service and has received some awards-season buzz.
It's scheduled to premiere in theaters on Dec. 6.
