Jared Leto is seemingly already facing the fallout of the ongoing assault allegations attached to his name.
The actor has been at the center of renewed scrutiny after scores of women came forward with accusations of sexual misconduct.
Now, sources say, Leto has been dropped from a big-time thriller project he was keen on participating in.
Days after the bombshell claims, Hollywood insiders say the disgraced actor was axed from the political thriller movie “Assassination.”
Production executives of the Barry Levison-directed project reportedly turned down Leto amid the mounting sexual misconduct allegations. An insider told Page Six that the “Morbius” star was long in talks to be a part of the film since last year, expressing extreme interest in being cast.
One informant noted that it was “seeming like a done deal” until the accusations popped their ugly heads, causing executives to steer clear.
A separate source, however, said the allegations didn’t just come to Levison and his team’s notice, as they were well aware behind the scenes. It was reportedly even discussed internally, but when more women began coming forward, it was too obvious to sweep under the rug.
Jared Leto’s Hollywood Future Facing Jeopardy
The reports of Leto’s axing from “Assassination” follow the predictions that his career might not survive the allegations.
The 54-year-old, who was set for a Hollywood resurgence with the release of “Masters of the Universe,” now has to fight against the tide of accusations that threaten his livelihood.
“Jared’s career in film, TV and on stage with his music is very much in trouble. He might be completely done, and he knows it. It is scary for him right now,” the source explained, according to The Blast.
Even if no criminal charges come from the bombshell claims, Leto fears the court of public opinion might sentence him to Hollywood banishment, making him an abomination for casting directors.
The actor is said to be “devastated” by how things have played out.
Inside The ‘Predatory’ Claims Against Jared Leto
Nine women came forward with stories of inappropriate behavior from Leto that took place over the last two decades.
According to The Blast, one of the accusers claimed her interaction with the Thirty Seconds To Mars bandleader happened when she was 17 as he “assaulted and traumatized” her at an event.
The alleged victim Allie Teliz spoke about the incident in a recently resurfaced 2012 Facebook post where she wrote, “Youre [sic] not really in L.A. until Jared Leto tries to force himself on you backstage… In a kilt.. And a snow hat.”
She further described Leto’s actions as “predatory, terrifying, and unacceptable,” admitting she informed him of her minor status.
For another woman who remained anonymous, she recalled meeting Leto on the way to the bathroom and exchanging numbers following a quick discussion.
The accuser, who was reportedly 16 at the time, began engaging in late-night text exchanges with the “Suicide Squad” star and he asked her obscene questions to test her knowledge of sex.
The Actor Cried Out About False Allegations From Accusers
More accusations surfaced in the BBC documentary, “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret,” where one accuser spoke up about having intimate relations with Leto when she was only 17.
Although she pointed out that she was below the age of consent in California to Leto, she claimed he shoved aside her concerns, saying, “Age is just a number.”
Leto has since denied all allegations brought forward about the incidents that took place between 2002 and 2016.
“I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false,” the Golden Globe winner revealed in a statement, per The Blast.
Jared Leto’s Controversy Sparks Legal Insight
With Leto’s allegations taking center stage, it provoked questions about the trend of victims waiting years to expose their abusers, especially in Hollywood.
Attorney Megan Thomas, who spoke to The Blast, gave insight into the pattern, attributing it to the troubling power dynamics between both parties.
“The reason survivors in the entertainment industry often take so long to come forward is because of the combination of the fame of the entertainer and the shame carried by the survivor,” she explained.
Thomas noted the influence of celebrity status can be overwhelming, as very few people are willing to challenge stars because of the revenue they make.
