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Cary Fukunaga’s Comeback Amidst Controversy

Four years have passed since director Cary Fukunaga faced significant allegations of sexual misconduct, a scandal that could have derailed most careers in Hollywood. Despite the seriousness of these claims—grooming, inappropriate behavior, and violating professional boundaries—Fukunaga has managed to secure a new project. He is set to direct a film starring two prominent actors with major roles in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man universe, albeit a film that diverges from the superhero narrative.

An announcement from Deadline reveals that Fukunaga will helm an adaptation of the crime thriller Blood on Snow by John Nesbø. The film will feature Tom Hardy, known for his role in Venom, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is set to star in Kraven the Hunter. Intriguingly, Nesbø himself will adapt the screenplay from his novel—a notable shift, as his works have typically been transformed by others, such as in The Snowman (2017) and The Hanging Sun (2022). Set in 1970s Oslo, the narrative unfolds around two competing gang leaders. Johnson portrays Olav, a hitman caught in a moral quandary when tasked with a killing that conflicts with his principles, while Hardy plays the rival gang’s leader, dubbed The Fisherman.

Cautionary Tales: Cary Fukunaga’s Professional History

Once celebrated as a visionary director for acclaimed films such as Jane Eyre (2011) and Beasts of No Nation (2015), along with directing the heralded first season of True Detective, Fukunaga’s standing has severely diminished due to alarming allegations. The first major accusation surfaced in October 2021, coinciding closely with the release of No Time to Die. Actress Raeden Greer accused him of coercing her into performing a topless scene for True Detective, a scene that was not part of her original contract.

By May 2022, further allegations surfaced, including a video posted by actress and skateboarder Rachelle Vinberg, which detailed experiences of grooming during the filming of a Samsung commercial directed by Fukunaga when she was just 18. Vinberg revealed that she had sought therapy and been diagnosed with PTSD linked to their relationship. Concurrently, twins Hannah and Cailin Loesch reported incidents of sexual harassment and grooming while working on Maniac, a series directed by Fukunaga. A later investigative piece by Rolling Stone disclosed that nearly a dozen sources had claimed Fukunaga frequently exploited his directing roles to engage with much younger female cast and crew members.

Despite the accumulation of troubling allegations, Fukunaga’s industry involvement continues to thrive, now intersecting with high-profile names like Hardy and Taylor-Johnson. This new film represents a noteworthy crossover potential for fans of Venom and Kraven the Hunter. Additionally, Fukunaga was involved in directing episodes of the AppleTV+ series Masters of Air after the allegations were made public. This trend, reminiscent of figures like David O. Russell, who recently undertook a biopic endeavor despite his past controversies, raises questions about the industry’s willingness to overlook serious accusations in exchange for talent.

Source
movieweb.com