Since Justice League star Ray Fisher accused Joss Whedon of exhibiting “gross” and “abusive” behavior while working on the film, many have begun to question the writer/director. While Kevin Smith has somewhat added to Fisher’s claims, we still don’t know exactly what happened due to Fisher still being under contract. Now, in the midst of all of this, a stunt coordinator who worked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer has claimed that Whedon was difficult to work with and even cost him career opportunities.
Jeff Pruitt worked alongisde Joss Whedon on Buffy the Vampire Slayer during its first four seasons before leaving the show. Pruitt told Metro.co.uk that he and Whedon initially had a firm working relationship but alleges that the writer became an “egomaniac” as the show’s popularity rose:
He went from the humble writer who used to turn to me for ways to shoot fight scenes into a real egomaniac who believed his own hype. Then again, maybe he was always that way and I was simply too naive to see it as he never showed that side to me before. We’d always supported each other…
When it first premiered, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was considered by many to be groundbreaking when it came to stunts. At the time, many of the show’s biggest moments had not been attempted on the small screen.
While working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jeff Pruitt was also in a relationship with Sophia Crawford, who served as Sarah Michelle Gellar’s stunt double. Crawford, now married to Pruitt, also left the show before the start of the fifth season. Aside from Pruitt’s conflicts with Whedon, their departure was allegedly also due to Whedon wanting Crawford to break up with Pruitt.
Sophia Crawford told the trade that she enjoyed her time working on the series and that Pruitt and Whedon had a falling out, which she believes could have been resolved:
I really loved Buffy, but honestly Joss and Jeff had a bit of a falling out. And I’m sure it should have been resolved, could have been resolved, if they’d have just talked it over.
Pruitt also alleges that before he and Crawford departed the show, Whedon told them that “no one will ever hire” them after that. Pruitt went on to say he’s experienced instances in which he would be offered a job and it would “suddenly vanish.”
Since leaving the show, both Jeff Pruitt and Sophia Crawford have gone on to work on other projects. Pruitt has managed stunts on films like XXX: State of the Union and Straight Outta Compton and TV shows like The Originals. Crawford has also worked on TV shows ranging from Bones to ER and has served as a stunt performer in films like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Jason Bourne.
Keep it here at CinemaBlend for more news from the world of TV and film.
