Apple TV may have just losta secondhigh-profile project that was set to appear on the streaming platform, just one monthafter it was announced: the Oprah Winfrey-produced documentary that follows music industry executive Drew Dixon, one of the women who accused Russell Simmons of rape and came forward inan interview withThe New York Times.
(Apple alsoindefinitely delayedthe theatrical release of its feature filmThe Bankertwo months ago.)
“I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on The Untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary and it will not air on Apple TV ,” Oprah wrote in a statement issued to several film industry publications, includingThe Hollywood Reporter,DeadlineandThe Wrap.********Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. We’re not clear what kind of terms Oprah negotiatedin her multi-year deal with Apple, but perhaps she has the authority to make this kind of decision? The film was to be “presented by Oprah Winfrey” on the streaming platform, so it could admittedly be a little awkward for Apple to air it if she’s no longer a producer.
Here’s Oprah’s full statement, viaDeadline:I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer onThe Untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Documentaryand it will not air on Apple TV . First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers. I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers ’desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.
The statement makes it sound like the film will still appear at Sundance, which kicks off January th.Here’s the Sundance Film Festivalpage for the documentary, which is why we know the film is about Drew Dixon – that was not disclosed in Apple’s original press release.
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