As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the ebb and flow of Hollywood for decades, I must say that Ray Fisher’s journey is one that resonates deeply with me. The events surrounding the making of Justice League were nothing short of tumultuous, and it’s heartening to see Fisher finding solace and closure in his current project, The Piano Lesson.
2020 saw Ray Fisher, who played Cyborg in the controversial “Justice League” film, initially accuse director Joss Whedon of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior towards the cast, describing it as “disgusting, abusive, and entirely unacceptable.” Since then, Whedon, who took over the reshoots for Zack Snyder after a family tragedy, has been under fire due to numerous allegations from Fisher concerning his conduct on the set of the superhero film. Now, Fisher is starring alongside John David Washington in Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson,” which he views as an opportunity to distance himself from the ongoing Whedon-DC dispute.
In an interview with Variety, Ray Fisher shared his current perspective on the controversial Justice League situation involving Joss Whedon and Walter Hamada. Working on the Broadway and film adaptation of August Wilson’s book “The Piano Lesson,” published in 1986, has helped Fisher leave behind the DC controversy. The story of “The Piano Lesson,” set in Pittsburgh in 1936, revolves around a family grappling with (literal) ghosts from their past and intergenerational trauma. The theme of moving forward or being stuck in the past resonates deeply with Fisher, inspiring him to let go of his resentment about Justice League and other hardships.
The influence in making this journey smoother was August Wilson, the author of [The Piano Lesson]. For me, it served as a refreshing change after experiencing personal and professional struggles. Returning to this creative space allowed me to let go of past hurts and avoid feelings of resentment towards past events. Instead, I wanted to focus on moving forward, and Lymon symbolizes that progress for me.
What Happened During the Set of Justice League?
Ray Fisher openly discussed his accusations towards Joss Whedon regarding his behavior on the set of Justice League, particularly focusing on the evolving portrayal of Cyborg under Whedon’s supervision. One significant issue for Fisher was Whedon’s suggestion for him to adopt a Quasimodo-like posture, which he refused as he had no desire to play the character as a cheerful, church-cleaning figure. According to Fisher, there were discussions among executives about not portraying an “angry Black man” on screen, and he was told by Geoff Johns that Cyborg only smiling twice in the film was deemed “problematic.” Fisher concluded his statement by saying:
I have doubts about certain individuals holding leadership roles. I wouldn’t want them completely ousted from Hollywood, but I do feel they should not be responsible for hiring and firing others… If I can’t ensure accountability, at least I can inform others about the nature of their interactions with these individuals.
Fisher wasn’t alone in facing problems with Whedon, as Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman actress) also expressed issues and asserted that Warner Bros. addressed them promptly. Following the disclosure of allegations, #IStandWithRayFisher trended, and Jason Momoa, who plays Aquaman, supported Fisher by calling out Warner Bros. on Instagram, stating “significant events occurred” during Justice League filming. Since these allegations emerged, Warner Bros. and DC appear to have made significant changes, with the situation now seemingly resolved between the involved parties.
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2024-09-10 18:03