Brett Ratner has been accused of sexual assault by Olivia Munn and five other women.
The Rush Hour trilogy director reportedly masturbated in front of X-Men Apocalypse star Olivia Munn when she visited the set of 2004 film After the Sunset, according to the LA Times.
Munn wrote about the incident in her 2010 collection of essays but did not name Ratner. One year later, Ratner claimed he had “banged” the actress but later clarified it was false. Munn also claimed that the director boasted about ejacluating on magazine covers featuring her image at a Creative Artists Agency party.
Ratner’s legal representative has said the director “vehemently disputes” Munn’s allegations.
Martin Singer, Ratner’s attorney said in a statement, “I have represented Mr. Ratner for two decades, and no woman has ever made a claim against him for sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. Furthermore, no woman has ever requested or received any financial settlement from my client.”
Speaking to the Times, Munn said she talk about the incidents to support other women who are “brave enough to speak up.”
“It feels as if I keep going up against the same bully at school who just won’t quit” she said. “You just hope that enough people believe the truth and for enough time to pass so that you can’t be connected to him anymore.”
Natasha Henstridge, a 43-year-old Canadian actress and former model claimed the Rush Hour director began touching himself in front of her before forcing coercing her when she was only-19 years-old. She added that he forced her to perform oral sex at his apartment. Ratner disputes the claim.
Jamie Ray Newman, a 39-year-old actress who will star in Netflix’s upcoming superhero series The Punisher also made allegations against the director. During a flight an Air Canada flight in 2005 on her way to shoot Supernatural, Newman claims Ratner explicitly described sex acts he wanted to perform on her. He also allegedly showed her nude photos of his then-girlfriend.
“He was graphically describing giving me oral sex and how he was addicted to it,” she said. Ratner referred to it as “ridiculous claim.”
Whilst filming Rush Hour 2, background actress Jorina King claimed Ratner asked her to see her breasts. Singer rejected the claim, adding that said Ratner had “no recollection” of another sexual harassment incident involving film extra Eri Sasak that allegedly occurred on set.
Recently, Michelle Yeoh condemned Harvey Weinstein for sexually assaulting women, revealing she was aware of his reputation.
It has also been found that actresses in the Asian film business are less likely to speak up about sexual assault than their western counterparts.
