Playboy and Jared Leto both swiftly backing away from Brett Ratner and his Hugh Hefner biopic

Playboy is working to distance itself from Brett Ratner today, after six women came forward this morning with allegations of sexual harassment and assault against the Rush Hour director. The Wrap reports that the magazine has put the project—reportedly a passion project for Ratner, whose own pretensions of Hef-hood are well-documented—on hold in the wake of the allegations, which include accounts from actresses Natasha Henstridge and Olivia Munn.

“We are deeply troubled to learn about the accusations against Brett Ratner. We find this kind of behavior completely unacceptable,” a Playboy spokesperson said in a statement today, failing to add, “And coming from us, you know that’s got to be bad.” The statement then went on to note that the company is, “putting all further development of our projects with RatPac Entertainment on hold until we are able to review the situation further.”

Meanwhile, actor Jared Leto—who was reportedly on the hook to play Hefner in the film—has gone even further, with his representatives bluntly stating that Leto has never been, and never will be, attached to the Ratner film. “Jared Leto is not and was not attached to a Brett Ratner directed Hugh Hefner film, nor will he be working with him in the future. Earlier reports were incorrect and not confirmed by his representatives.”

 
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