Warner Bros. has finally concluded its investigation into the alleged misconduct that took place during the “Justice League” reshoots five months after actor Ray Fisher accused director Joss Whedon and producers Geoff Johns and Jon Berg of abusive behavior.
According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), WarnerMedia announced on Friday night that “remedial action” was taken at the investigation’s conclusion while providing no further details.
“WarnerMedia’s investigation into the Justice League movie has concluded and remedial action has been taken,” said the statement.
Joss Whedon was brought on to oversee reshoots and post-production for “Justice League” after a personal tragedy forced director Zack Snyder to temporarily exit the project. According to Ray Fisher, who played the role of Cyborg, Whedon’s behavior on set was “gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.”
“Joss Wheadon’s on-set treatment of the cast and crew of Justice League was gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable. He was enabled, in many ways, by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg. Accountability>Entertainment,” Fisher tweeted in early July.
“During the LA reshoots for Justice League, Geoff Johns summoned me to his office to belittle and admonish my (and my agent’s) attempts to take grievances up the proper chain of command. He then made a thinly veiled threat to my career. This behavior cannot continue,” he then tweeted in August.
In late August, WarnerMedia launched an investigation into Fisher’s claims against Whedon, Johns, and Berg. In October, Fisher elaborated on his allegations when he told Forbes that Warner Bros. film boss Toby Emmerich and other executives participated in “racist conversations” during the reshoots and editing.
“What set my soul on fire and forced me to speak out about Joss Whedon this summer was my becoming informed that Joss had ordered that the complexion of an actor of color be changed in postproduction because he didn’t like the color of their skin tone,” Fisher said. “Prior to Justice League’s reshoot process, blatantly racist conversations were had and entertained — on multiple occasions — by former and current top-level executives at Warner Bros. Pictures,” he further alleged. “Decision-makers that participated in those racist conversations were Geoff Johns, Jon Berg, and current Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich.”
Due to these alleged conversations, Fisher determined that race played a factor in Whedon’s decision to cut the roles or minimize the parts given to minority actors — Zheng Kai, Joe Morton, Karen Bryson, and Kiersey Clemons. “I always suspected that race was a determining factor for the way that things went down, but it wasn’t until this past summer that I was able to prove it,” Fisher said.
To those who doubt his claims, Fisher said that people should consider if it’s plausible that he would torpedo his whole career on a lie.
“You really have to ask yourself, what’s more plausible — that I would purposely torpedo my career by making statements about powerful figures in Hollywood, that, if untrue, could be easily refuted. OR a handful people in positions of power said and did terrible things in order to maintain that power during a massive corporate merger,” said Fisher.
In response to the statement issued by WarnerMedia on Friday night, Fisher said that conversations still need to happen until a resolution can be reached. He also shared a statement he personally received from WarnerMedia informing him of the concluded investigation.
“WarnerMedia appreciates you having the courage to come forward and assist the company with creating an inclusive and equitable work environment for it’s [sic] employees and partners,” the statement said.
Actor Jason Momoa, who played Aquaman, has publicly backed Fisher’s claims.
Related: ‘Justice League’ Star Ray Fisher Accuses Warner Bros. Execs Of ‘Racist Conversations’