The Bryan Singer Timeline: a History of Allegations and Defenses, from Troubled Films to Sexual Assault Claims
October 2011
Roland Emmerich says parties with Bryan Singer “got out of hand”
Openly gay director Roland Emmerich, of the “Independence Day” franchise, told The Advocate that he and Singer traditionally hosted scores of “twinks” at a Pride weekend party each June. However, the last one in 2009 drew about 1,200 guests. Emmerich had enough, and suggested they limit attendance to 400. “You know what Bryan said? ‘You want to make it that exclusive?’ I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ But then I kind of realized when [Singer] makes a New Year’s party, there’s like 600, 700 twinks running around.”
April 16, 2014
Michael F. Egan III files civil lawsuit against Singer
Former child actor Egan (the “Michael E.” of the 2000 lawsuit against DEN) was 31 when he filed a civil lawsuit against Singer. Egan said between August 1, 1999 and October 31, 1999, when he was 17, Singer flew him to Kailua, Hawaii multiple times under the guise of discussing movie roles but fed him cocaine, alcohol, and other drugs and and anally raped him. The director said the allegations against him were “outrageous, vicious and completely false,” adding that he was not in Hawaii on the dates in question.
April 21, 2014
Egan names Singer’s fellow DEN investors as additional defendants
Egan added three former DEN investors to his suit against Singer: former Fox and NBC executive Garth Ancier, onetime Walt Disney Television president David Neuman, and producer and theme park designer Gary Wayne Goddard. Egan claimed all allegedly drugged and sexually abused him at parties in California or Hawaii.
Two months after the filing, Egan’s attorneys dropped him as a client; in August 2014, Egan voluntarily dismissed his claim against Singer. In June 2015, the attorneys made a formal apology to Ancier and Neuman as well as a seven-figure settlement. In December 2015, Egan was sentenced to two years in prison on unrelated charges of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud.
April 24, 2014
Singer withdraws from promoting “X-Men: Days of Future Past”
In response to the Egan suit, Singer withdrew from promoting the third installment of the “X-Men” franchise. “The allegations against me are outrageous, vicious and completely false,” Singer said in a statement. “I do not want these fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past.’ This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career. So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I’ve decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shakedown it is.”
May 7, 2014
“John Doe No. 117” claims Singer and Gary Goddard sexually assaulted him as a minor
In a lawsuit filed by an anonymous plaintiff from the U.K., the alleged victim said he was 14 when Goddard, 48, contacted him in 2003 over social media; he said he knew people, including Bryan Singer, who could help him become an actor. At 15, he and Goddard began an an online sexual relationship; later, Goddard introduced to him to Singer over the phone. In 2006, when the plaintiff was 17, Singer and Goddard traveled to London for the “Superman Returns” premiere and asked to meet him there, with Warner Bros. supplying tickets and a hotel room.
According to the suit, Singer and Goddard invited the plaintiff into Singer’s suite on the pretext of showing him Superman memorabilia. Singer and Goddard “started grabbing John Doe in a sexual manner” and when he resisted their advances, the suit claimed Goddard brought in a man to beat him up. Singer then removed his own boxer shorts, ordered the boy to sit on him and masturbate, and attempted to anally penetrate him. The next morning, Singer called the plaintiff to apologize.
In July 2014, the plaintiff dropped Singer from the case. In October 2014, the plaintiff’s attorneys entered a voluntary notice of dismissal with prejudice against Goddard.
November 24, 2014
“An Open Secret” premieres at DOC NYC
Oscar-nominated documentarian Amy Berg’s “An Open Secret,” a documentary about the culture of child sexual abuse in Hollywood, follows five former child actors — including former DEN plaintiffs Egan and Ryan, as well as Corey Feldman and Todd Bridges — who were sexually abused by multiple predators. Much of the film centers on DEN and makes multiple references to Singer, with video footage of his attendance at DEN parties, although details no allegations against him.
“An Open Secret” premiered at the prestigious DOC NYC, but despite strong reviews it could not find a distributor. Producer Gabe Hoffman told The Guardian: “We got zero Hollywood offers to distribute the film. Not even one. Literally no offers for any price whatsoever.” It received a very limited release in June 2015 via conservative distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures, which declined to release box-office figures.
