Bryan Singer Calls Atlantic Allegations 'Homophobic Smear Piece'

Bryan Singer has responded to new allegations of sexual assault.

The bisexual Bohemian Rhapsody director called a Wednesday report in The Atlantic, which included multiple allegations that Singer had sex with underage boys, a "homophobic smear piece."

"The last time I posted about this subject, Esquire magazine was preparing to publish an article written by a homophobic journalist who has a bizarre obsession with me dating back to 1997. After careful fact-checking and, in consideration of the lack of credible sources, Esquire chose not to publish this piece of vendetta journalism," Singer said in a statement sent to media.

"That didn't stop this writer from selling it to The Atlantic," Singer continued. "It's sad that The Atlantic would stoop to this low standard of journalistic integrity. Again, I am forced to reiterate that this story rehashes claims from bogus lawsuits filed by a disreputable cast of individuals willing to lie for money or attention. And it is no surprise that, with Bohemian Rhapsody being an award-winning hit, this homophobic smear piece has been conveniently timed to take advantage of its success."

Singer is the credited director of Bohemian Rhapsody, which took home Best Picture and Best Actor for Rami Malek at the Golden Globes; it has also received nominations in these categories for this year's Academy Awards. However, Singer was fired two weeks before the Freddie Mercury biopic finished production in 2017, allegedly due to erratic behavior and clashes with cast and crew members.

That year, Cesar Sanchez-Guzman claimed Singer raped him in 2013 in a lawsuit, which is pending. The director denied the allegation, and Fox claimed it did not factor into its decision to let Singer go.

The alleged victims who spoke with The Atlantic claimed they were "psychologically damaged, with substance-abuse problems, depression, and PTSD" after being sexually assaulted by Singer.

UPDATE: The writers of The Atlantic piece -- Maximillian Potter and Alex French -- released a statement claiming that their article was intended for publication in Esquire until it was "killed" by executives at Hearst Communications.

"We have been asked why a story reported and written by two Esquire writers is being published in The Atlantic," the writers said. "This story began with our editors at Esquire. After months of reporting, this story went through Esquire's editorial process, which included fact-checking and vetting by a Hearst attorney, and the story was approved for publication."

"The story was then killed by Hearst executives. We do not know why," they added. "We are most grateful that the alleged victims now have a chance to be heard and we hope the substance of their allegations remains the focus."