Justice League: Ray Fisher Details Full Experience Whedon & WB Investigation
In a revealing new interview, Ray Fisher details his experiences with Joss Whedon during the Justice League reshoots, as well as the Warner Bros. investigation that came after. Fisher joined the DCEU as Cyborg in 2016's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, though he had a more substantial role in Justice League the following year. It's that latter film in particular that has drawn significant attention over the past year, due to both the Snyder Cut and Fisher's allegations about what occurred during the reshoots. After director Zack Snyder stepped away from Justice League, WB brought Joss Whedon on to complete the film.
Whedon ultimately changed much of what Snyder had planned (hence the existence of the Snyder Cut), but that is just the start of the controversy surrounding his involvement. Last summer, Fisher accused Whedon of "gross, abusive" behavior on the set of Justice League's reshoots and alleged that certain executives within DC Films - most notably Jon Berg and Geoff Johns - enabled him. Fisher has not backed down since, instead pursuing an investigation within WB and demanding accountability, even as the studio has seemingly attempted to undermine him.
In a blistering interview with THR, Fisher has provided new details about his experiences during the Justice League reshoots and after. To begin with, Fisher received Whedon's revised script, where he learned much of Cyborg's tragic backstory had been changed. Whedon emailed looking for feedback, though Fisher claimed he really just wanted "fulsome praise." Fisher attempted to offer some guidance on Cyborg's representation, but Whedon wasn't pleased, reportedly saying, "It feels like I'm taking notes right now, and I don't like taking notes from anybody — not even Robert Downey Jr." When Fisher turned to Johns, Johns merely said, "We can't make Joss mad." From that point on, there were more clashes with Johns regarding Cyborg's depiction, from how much he smiled to the infamous "boo-yah" catchphrase. Fisher added later that Berg personally reached out to him and apologized, but said nothing of the same regarding Johns.
As the investigation began to move forward at WB, Fisher was wary about the various investigators the studio put forward, particularly after a WB exec praised the first chosen investigator, whom they had worked with before. Fisher was also told by someone to avoid the investigation if a particular executive was involved, because they had a history of sweeping misconduct under the rug. When Katherine Forrest, the investigator who ultimately conducted the probe, was brought on, Fisher was more optimistic, but soon realized WB had only authorized Forrest to "attempt to explain away anything to do with race." The supposed "remedial steps" taken at WB after the completion of the Justice League investigation remains to be seen.
In conclusion, Fisher stated, "I don't want them excommunicated from Hollywood, but I don't think they should be in charge of the hiring and firing of other people." This is an admirable goal, and one that shouldn't be so difficult for people to grasp. That WB has evidently caused this much difficulty within the Justice League reshoots and investigation is disheartening. Fisher likely has more details he hasn't made public, but even those he has spoken about indicates there was a harmful and racist environment in the making of Justice League. Perhaps this new interview will usher in real change within Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia, but it's hard to say for sure. Regardless, though, Fisher certainly won't be giving up without a fight.
Source: THR