Bryan Singer Calls Underage Sex Abuse Allegations 'Vicious,' Pulls Out of 'X-Men' Promo Events

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Amid serious accusations of using force and drugs to have sex with a 17-year-old boy in 1999, X-Men: Days of Future Past director Bryan Singer is responding to the allegations, calling them "vicious" and "completely false," and is pulling himself out of upcoming media events for the film.

Singer tells ET, "The allegations against me are outrageous, vicious and completely false. I do not want these fictitious claims to divert ANY attention from X-Men: Days of Future Past. This fantastic film is a labor of love and one of the greatest experiences of my career. So, out of respect to all of the extraordinary contributions from the incredibly talented actors and crew involved, I've decided not to participate in the upcoming media events for the film. However, I promise when this situation is over, the facts will show this to be the sick twisted shake down it is. I want to thank fans, friends and family for all their amazing and overwhelming support."

In a lawsuit filed April 16 in Hawaii Federal Court that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the plaintiff, Michael F. Egan III, says the misconduct against him took place approximately 15 years ago in homes in Los Angeles and Hawaii, during several parties where Singer allegedly forced him to do cocaine and then used force to sexually abuse him.


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Egan, now 32, moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was a teenager in an effort to start a career in acting. Allegedly, the director, now 48 years old, threatened to ruin Egan's aspiring career if he didn't keep Singer happy. According to the suit, Singer would ply him with drugs and alcohol, and fly him to Hawaii for sex.

Egan is seeking damages of an unspecified amount for charges including, among others, emotional distress, battery and assault.

Singer's attorney Marty Singer said in a statement to ET after the lawsuit was filed, "The claims made against Bryan Singer are completely without merit. We are very confident that Bryan will be vindicated in this absurd and defamatory lawsuit. It is obvious that this case was filed in an attempt to get publicity at the time when Bryan's new movie is about to open in a few weeks."

X-Men: Days of Future Past is scheduled to hit theaters May 23, 2014.