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Apple Cancels Premiere Of 1st Major Theatrical Movie, ‘The Banker’

Apple Cancels Premiere Of 1st Major Theatrical Movie, ‘The Banker’

The Banker
Apple canceled the anticipated premiere of its first film “The Banker” due to sexual abuse allegations within the family of one of it’s main subjects. Photo: Apple TV

What was supposed to be Apple’s grand foray into cinema has been put on hold. According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the tech giant canceled the premiere of “The Banker” at AFI Fest due to sexual abuse allegations within the family of one of the subjects it is centered on.

Apple released the following statement about the AFI cancellation:

“We purchased The Banker earlier this year as we were moved by the film’s entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy. Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest.”

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Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie and Nia Long, “The Banker” centers around the late Bernard Garrett Sr. It is based on his true life story and that of Joe Morris, two Black men who convinced a white man to front their Los Angeles-based real estate business in the 1960s. The concerns which caused Apple to delay the film’s premiere center around “troubling allegations” about Garrett’s son, Bernard Garrett Jr., Deadline reported.

Garrett’s half-sisters have accused him of sexually molesting them when they were younger. They also said their brother misrepresented the timeline of some of the events and left they and their mother out of the film on purpose.

Apple said they will delay the film’s release until they investigate further. In the meantime, Garrett Jr.’s name has been deleted from all of the film’s credits and promo materials.