Louis C.K. is the latest Hollywood figure to be hit with sexual harassment allegations over the last few weeks in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Five women accused the comedian of exposing himself and masturbating in front of them, and C.K. confirmed today that their accounts are true. As a result, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have announced that C.K. will no longer be participating in their upcoming movie, The Secret Life of Pets 2.
Although Louis C.K. was originally supposed to reprise his character Max the Jack Russell terrier for The Secret Life of Pets 2, Universal and Illumination said in their statement (via THR) that they have "terminated their relationship" with him . Given the character's importance in the first movie, presumably the role will simply be recast, though it's possible that Max could end up being removed from the movie altogether should there be any script alterations in the near future.
Universal and Illumination aren't the only movie companies that have cut ties with Louis C.K. Yesterday, the premiere of his upcoming film, I Love You, Daddy, was cancelled shortly before the report about C.K. sexual misconduct, though the official press statement simply cited "unexpected circumstances" for the cancellation. C.K. subsequently cancelled his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Then earlier today, Orchard Pictures announced that it was scrapping I Love You, Daddy's release, and that includes ensuring that it doesn't come out as a straight-to-video feature. The movie starred C.K. as the father of a 17-year-old girl (played by Chloe Grace Moretz) who catches the fancy of a much older director.
But it isn't just the movie industry that's distancing itself from Louis C.K. FX has announced that it is "ending its association" with the comedian, which includes canceling the deal between the network and C.K.'s Pig Newton production company, relieving him of his executive producer status on the TV shows he was producing with them (Better Things, Baskets and One Mississippi) and ensuring he no longer receives any compensation for said shows. This also includes the upcoming TBS animated series The Cops, which has suspended production. No doubt there will be more repercussions to follow.
The Secret Life of Pets came out in 2016, and along with Louis C.K., its main cast included Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Dana Carvey, Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Hannibal Burress, Steve Coogan and Albert Brooks. No plot details for the sequel have been released yet, but Chris Renaud will be back in the director's chair and Brian Lynch is returning to pen the script.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 is still slated to hit theaters on June 7, 2019. For movies being released sooner, browse through our 2018 premiere guide.
