LOS ANGELES, Nov 21, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Apple on Wednesday abruptly canceled
the world premiere of “The Banker” over unspecified concerns, just one day
before the film was due to close a major Los Angeles festival.
The movie, starring Samuel L Jackson, is based on the true story of two
black businessmen who hired a working-class white man to front their empire
and combat racism in 1960s America.
“Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our
attention,” Apple said in a statement to AFP.
“We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters
and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer
premiering ‘The Banker’ at AFI Fest.”
Apple did not specify the nature of the concerns.
But Hollywood trade reports tied the cancellation to allegations made about
the movie by a relative of Bernard Garrett, one of the businessmen portrayed
in the film.
The film’s Thursday night slot at the American Film Institute (AFI)
festival will be filled by “Marriage Story,” the Oscar-tipped drama starring
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver.
An AFI spokesperson told AFP: “We support Apple’s decision to postpone the
premiere, and we are fortunate that our friends at Netflix have generously
allowed us to screen their critically acclaimed ‘Marriage Story’.”
“Marriage Story” is already playing in limited US theaters.
“The Banker” was one of the first titles produced by tech giant Apple for
its new streaming service, which features TV shows and films, and launched on
November 1.
Following its planned premiere at Los Angeles’ Chinese Theater, the film
had been due to hit streaming platform Apple TV+ on December 6.
According to its official synopsis, “The Banker” follows Garrett (Anthony
Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson) as they “devise an audacious and risky plan
to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African
Americans pursue the American dream.”
The company said in its statement Wednesday: “We purchased ‘The Banker’
earlier this year as we were moved by the film’s entertaining and educational
story about social change and financial literacy.”