Cary Fukunaga Faces Allegations of Inappropriate Workplace Behavior After Being Credited With Modernizing the James Bond Franchise With ‘No Time to Die’
Cary Fukunaga is credited for bringing a contemporary sensibility and distinctive style to the James Bond movie, No Time to Die. Viewers see glamorous locations, modern action sets, and well-dressed people throughout the film. The movie mixes both the new and old as director Fukunaga was able to bring Bond into a new era.
Although he received praise from James Bond fans and film critics, Fukunaga recently found himself in hot water.
Cary Fukunaga’s career and most notable projects
Fukunaga is among the most sought-after Hollywood directors today. He’s directed films that span different languages and cultures, producing Sin Nombre in 2009, Jane Eyre in 2011, and Beasts of No Nation in 2015. Fukunaga has also directed The Alienist and Maniac.
The 44-year-old also directed the first season of True Detective for eight episodes total. Audiences and critics lauded True Detective for its use of the single tracking shot, gritty dialogue, and dark cinematography. Through his work on HBO’s anthology crime drama, he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in 2014.
Fukunaga also became the first American director to steer the Bond franchise. He took the role of directing its 25th film after the previous leader, Danny Boyle, quit. The California native is also credited for advocating for female characters to have equity in the James Bond universe. No Time to Die has two female agents, played by Ana de Armas and Lashana Lynch.
Fukunaga was able to create a modern era of Bond, giving care to each female character as more than a sex symbol. Lynch even takes up the mantle after the retiring of Bond.
Cary Fukunaga faces allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior
Fukunaga is facing allegations of workplace misconduct, using his position to engage in inappropriate relationships with young women. There were some anonymous sources from the Apple TV show Masters of the Air, which he directed. The sources told Rolling Stone that he was engaging in abuse of power and having inappropriate relationships with crew members and female actors.
On May 10, CBR published a report about three young actors who made allegations of Fukunaga’s sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. According to the story, he took advantage of women who were 20 years his junior.
Fukunaga was also accused of grooming a young actress who is currently 23 years old. They met when she was only 18 years old. Rachelle Vinberg shared the details of Fukunaga’s behavior on social media and advised young girls to be careful of him, according to Rolling Stone.
Through a blog post, twin sisters and Maniac actors Hannah Loesch and Cailin Loesch accused Fukunaga of engaging them in an inappropriate sexual relationship when they were only 20 years old.
In 2021, he was also accused of firing an actor, Raeden Greer, from True Detective after she refused to film a scene topless. Greer’s character was an exotic dancer, but it was not disclosed to her that nudity was expected. During an interview with The Daily Beast, Greer said Fukunaga told her every woman should go topless, and since her character is a stripper, she has no option. The encounter was humiliating and degrading, according to Greer, and she alleges she was later fired.
Cary Fukunaga’s response to sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior
Through his attorney, the No Time to Die director has claimed he is innocent. Fukunaga says he has never asked the twin sisters to participate in a threesome among other allegations. Concerning the recent accusations of inappropriate behavior and misusing his power as a director, Fukunaga has also denied the claims.
He issued a statement stating there is nothing wrong with pursuing romantic relationships. He further says he provides a work environment that is creative and welcoming to all.
